Arriving vs Abiding

Hey friends, simple message today! This week starts spring break for me. It’s great to have last week’s exams behind me. But even with those out of the way, it still seems that I have so much more to go. More exams, more assignments, more projects. Always more.

I’m getting flashbacks to highschool where I oftentimes felt I was drowning in school work. I thought graduation from high school would give me the “arrival” I needed. But even though throwing a cap in the air gave me a sense of joy and relief, it wasn’t long until I felt that there was a sea in my way again.

In the way of what, you might ask. In the way of true joy, happiness, and contentment. Maybe you feel the same way. Like true fulfillment is just out of reach.

bailee fresh out high school thinking college would solve all her problems

bailee in the thick of her sophomore yr of college knowing she was wrong and learning that only Jesus can truly fulfill her

Having an arrival mindset is actually quite dangerous.

I saw a video this week posted by Freddie Amos, a counselor and member of Sadie Robertson’s Live Original team.

She touched on the fact that we oftentimes want our problems to be solved by 5 easy steps or 1 quick prayer.

We think we will finally have “made it” when we reach a certain weight, never have a negative thought or emotion, get into a relationship, have our dream house, etc.

But that’s just not the way life works.

We have to put in the work.

Scripture started with Adam and Eve in the Garden. A garden requires work. To have a successful garden, we have to weed out things. We have to cultivate fruit. It doesn’t just appear out of nowhere.

Even after you get the “thing,” there will likely be another mountain somewhere down the road.

Crowding Out Vs. Cutting Out

In my life, I have oftentimes found it ineffective to try and replace the bad with the good. Maybe this is because in this world, we will have always trouble. Jesus tells us this. We don’t have the power to disseminate all darkness. Only Jesus does.

In John 15:2, the Bible tells us

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

Here, Jesus isn’t telling us to cut off the bad branches ourselves. He doesn’t tell us to put all our energy in eliminating the bad. Instead, He tells us to abide in Him. To abide in Jesus means to rest in, pursue, and hope in the things of God.

When talking to a dietitian about my struggles with eating, she told me that it's not uncommon for nutrition students to have such perfectionistic energy. She said that we are often high-achieving, disciplined, and motivated. And that this can be very good or very bad depending on where we place that energy. The dietitian told me to use all that energy elsewhere- on church, on volunteering, on friendships, on resume building, on hobbies, etc.

I have found her advice to be true. Although sometimes, I despise human limitation, I have recently found it quite freeing. We only have so much capacity. And if I use all my capacity for the good, there isn't much room for the bad.

At my worst, all my energy goes into worrying and doubting and spiraling. In this negative space, I tend to these things like clockwork.

At my best, all my energy is used for being present with those around me, engaging in hobbies, letting go of what I can't control, seeing the good, and laughing without fear of the future.

Let there be light.

In Genesis, we see that God didn’t create the world by eliminating darkness. All He did was bring some light in.

Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness.

Genesis 1:3-25 NLT

Maybe what we’re walking through today seems so dark, not because the problem is insurmountable, but because there is an absence of light. 

This week, instead of focusing on how you can get rid of the bad, I encourage you to try bringing in some good. Let the light in!

If you’ve been in the dark for a bit, you may not be used to the light. So start by opening the curtains. Then maybe the next day you’ll have the courage to open the shutters. Who knows- maybe one day soon you’ll decide to open up the whole window!

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:5

Start today

In episode 2 of the Chosen, season 3, Jesus gave James the authority and commission to heal the sick even though he himself hadn't been healed. James was so confused. He replied “How can I be given the authority to heal other people when you haven't healed me?”

Jesus' response was so beautiful. It was because He trusted James. He didn’t trust just anyone with that story, but He knew James would share the good news of Jesus despite his own lack of healing.

Maybe you feel like you’re in the thick of it- like you’re waiting for your test to become your testimony. I challenge you to consider sharing with others even while you're inside of the test- with wisdom + discernment of course!

We don't have to be perfect to help others. We just have to be humble, honest, and committed to Christ.

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hope u have a happy week!!

- bailee c :)