slight ramblings

Rekindle starts this Sunday, and I'm not going. When I think about that, it makes me so sad. I really want to go, mainly because I want to get to know everyone better. At Rekindle we play games, hang out, pray, worship, and laugh together. M28 becomes more like a family every year at Rekindle. And I'm going to miss that growing closer experience by staying home. =/ Not to mention all the fun we have together, plus the extra time to meet with God.

But, despite all that, I must remember that God has a purpose for me. My purpose for this coming week is to show God's love to everyone I see here in Charlotte. My purpose is to go to school and do my best, for His glory. My purpose is to go to work, as though working for God and not men. My purpose is to bring God glory by enjoying Him.

I cannot base my joy and contentment on a one-time retreat that will last a short time and be gone. That is as foolish as saying I will only be happy if a 30 minute event happens. Everything on this earth is temporary! I must find my joy and contentment in God, who is forever, and is the /only/ One who will ever satisfy me. Going to Rekindle, though it is fun and beneficial, will /not/ ultimately satisfy me.

"Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear to me, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live." Isaiah 55:2-3

"For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish." Jeremiah 31:25

Also, it is ok that I don't understand why God chose for me to stay home, instead of doing what I want. Because:

"My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

Why should my happiness be based on going to one retreat, when I have the Lord Jesus Christ as my inheritance? God is my Father, and the Holy Spirit lives in me! What more do I need to be joyful?
I must remind myself of this every day.