Samantha Bird's Blog
Am I living the life Christ died to give me? / 10.13.09, 10:05 PM
Today has been one of those much need refreshing days. Its really weird, I feel like I am bipolar sometimes because there are days when this new life is so exciting and I totally understand why God has me here, and other days its tough and I’m homesick and feel weak! One of my favorite songs from our new church sings… “I may be weak, but your spirits strong in me, my flesh may fail, but my God you never will!” This is like the story of my life. Today is Sunday, our second day going to church our second Sunday in NC. Again it feels that I’ve been here so much longer. Church was very wonderful and the message was just really encouraging, so I’ll share with you a little. Colossians 3 was read about being raised to a new life through Christ’s death, and putting to death all your old sinful ways, and putting your mind and heart on things above. It was just really empowering realizing that with Christ we are living NEW lives, and the past and all that baggage does not matter. It was also challenging seeing that my focus is often swayed and a serious question to consider is “am i living the life that Christ died to give me?” I would like to say I am but I know that there are still deep sins of greed, jealousy, and selfishness within me that beg for me to give into their way of thought. It’s so frustrating that I can’t shake all my evilness. I just want so badly to be fully HUMBLE. Why do selfish thoughts even cross my mind. I guess what I’m trying to get across is that Jesus died for us and heaven is a REALITY, and it should not be taken lightly! We need to daily kill our sinful ways and thoughts and consciously live in light of His death. We are new people…“in its place you have clothed yourselves with a brand-new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more about Christ, who created this new nature within you.” Life is such a serious thing!
So there has been much going on since my last blog. Its crazy how much my perspectives have seemed to change in only a week and how much I’ve learned about God and myself, ITS CRAZY I say! We started reading “Restoring At-Risk Communities” and I feel its somehow bringing such clarity to me about life and how to follow Jesus and I’m only in the second chapter. For some reason Ive really been struggling with that fact that mission year is only that, a year. Its so hard for me to get to know all these people knowing that its just temporary, I feel guilty. We are only going to be here loving them for this one year of their life, then we leave and its all over. That been my outlook. However this book has been really comforting by allowing me to understand that our part in the community this year is to develop those among us to carry on the heart and skills needed to restore their community. “The mission of the Messiah- and our mission- is not complete until we have empowered those living in the devastated places, the ruined cities, to restore and rebuild their own community. “ Although this will be one year of my life, I really am considering relocation to an inner city once I move home. I really feel its the most affective way of helping the community and plus that is exactly what Jesus did when He came down to earth to live with us, I think its how he has called us to live. To live WITH those in need.
“Living the gospel means desiring for your neighbors and your neighbor’s family that which you desire for yourself and your family. Living the gospel means bettering the quality of other people’s lives-spiritually, physically, socially, and emotionally- as you better your own. Living the gospel means sharing in the suffering and pain of others.”
Anyways I can go on and on with what this is teaching. I just suggest you read it. Its been really exciting, that past few days we have met more and more people in the neighborhood and church. Today we went out to lunch with a big group of people from our church, mostly the people in charge of outreach who we will be working with, and it was really encouraging and exciting to see how enthusiastic there are about mission year partnering with their church Elevation. We had them over at our house for a little bit after that, and it was just really fun having guests and making more friends here! Its funny how great it is to have people over! We actually had our first guest over on Thursday, he was a man from Elevation who kindly volunteered to help us move in more furniture. We ended up making him dinner and he stayed over for a long time just talking! And yesterday was our first real day of mission year, meaning no orientation stuff, and this is getting serious! We spent the whole day being out in our neighborhood. We sat on the usual park table with Spider, Barak played football with the little cussing boys who make us laugh, I got to hold a bunny named honey bun! It was so cute, it belongs to our neighbors who actually only moved here three weeks ago! We met tons of little kids! ALSO I forgot to tell you! Jaimee and I were making cookies the other day and realized we didn’t have any sugar. So of course we had to ask our neighbors for a cup of sugar, so typical. I’m glad it happened though because these people are never out so to talk to them and meet them it took us getting into their home! They invited us in! So that was nice and we brought them warm freshly baked cookies afterwards!
The past few days have just been really eye opening. And I’m beginning to see what potential there is with Elevation and our neighborhood and its really encouraging and exciting. God is present and He lives in us! Goodnight, love you all.
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Samantha, I love reading your blogs. they always leave me deep in thought.. You are learning so many important lessons, Its amazing God uses our willing hearts not only to help others but teaches us more than we could have imagined . Gods ways are much higher than ours! I love and miss you,mom
By mommy / Oct 15, 05:29 PM / #
thank you for sharing your thoughts sam. i often ask myself the same question, and sadly, my answer sometimes is no. i have no doubt that in your experience, you have chosen to live the life He died to give you. keep it up girl! love, janelle
By janelle / Dec 9, 08:38 PM / #