Asking Questions

I'm learning a new kind of art, it's the art of asking questions.  I've realized that people, including myself, could really grow in this area.

As a society, we desire to be known, whether you know it or not, you want to be known.  I had a girl ask me one day, "What do you think about as you walk around campus?"  I was shocked by this question, truly amazed.  The beautiful friend who asked me this question is intelligent, funny, has great stories, yet put those aside because she desired to know me.

I think it's time to step up.  To think past "How are you?" (which p.s. the only acceptable answer is, "Fine, How are you?" or something else short and sweet that doesn't really tell how you are doing.  Additionally, I have found people will ask and then be halfway down the road by time you get a chance to answer---rude!) Also, I want to think past, "So, what do you do?"  "I'm a lawyer, a flight attendant, a teacher, ect."  Big whoop.  I honestly, care more about who you are, rather than what you do.  SO I want to know, What makes you happy?  What do you enjoy doing on your free time?  Who is your favorite character in any movie or book?  Why? And then I want to listen to the answer.

I want people to know me.  I want to be known!  There I said it, I said a vulnerable thing, I have a desire to be known.  I heard this question yesterday, "Who, outside your immediate family would you dies for?"  Then, the follow up question was, "Who outside your immediate family would die for you?"

Being known is something I value and desiring to know others is something I want.

Keynote

I was asked to be the Keynote Speaker at a scholarship event for my University.  I'm being asked to speak on my experiences as a student and what I'm doing now.  But where do I begin?  My college years were the most formative years of my entire life thus far.  I came not expecting to leave believing what I do now.  I trusted Christ with my life at St. Ed's, I gained the most amazing friends in the entire world at St. Ed's, I know who I am, that I have purpose and destiny because of the relationships formed at St. Ed's.  Additionally, my leadership skills were honed and my gifts for service exercised.

How do I make my speech not sound cliche?  How do I sound real?  How do I express the importance of knowing your identity?  I guess this is about the time I ask Jesus for help.  I will definitely need his creativity, wisdom and words for this one...

Glory to Glory

In 2 Corinthians 3:11 it says "For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory."

Sometimes when things end i.e. good books, vacations, relationships etc, people have a tendency to think that they will never find something as meaningful, fun or special again.  However, that's not true.  The moment we say "That was it.  That was the best I will ever have" is partnering with the idea that since you've already had "what's best" the rest of life will be less than abundant in comparison.

I want to encourage each of you to enjoy every moment of a good thing and a not so good thing for that matter and when it ends, grieve the loss or rejoice and then move on with your life.  I'm realizing more and more as I grow in maturity, that when we live in the past, fantasizing about our former lives we take the beauty out of them.  Yes, our pasts shape our personal stories of who we are and that is valuable, but living in them, in our thoughts regularly, will prevent us from moving forward into our destiny and purpose.

So here's my prayer for you: Go. Walk out in the fullness of life and joy.  You have a reason for being on this earth.  There is only one of you.  No one else has your story, all of your gifts, talents or personality; it is unique and brilliant.  Go serve and encourage others in their potential too.  The world is waiting.