The excitement of life

I can hardly believe how busy I've been. A promo at work, a new love in my life, and many great and wonderful people in my life - and I'm lovin' it! (mmmmm.... Big Mac!) Of course, I could may well be looking back at this post a month or two down the road thinking to myself, "What were you thinking?!! This intensity is insane!"
But, seriously, I am quite enjoying the challenges of life right now. There are several things on the horizon that I am scared about - new things at work, building a relationship... I don't know what it's going to look like, I don't know how to do them! But, I do know that I'm on the Right path. I am not so afraid as to stop, and not move forward. I know full well that there is Someone who walks beside me and holds my hand. He's always there to whisper His encouragements whenever I'm willing to listen. And, each day, I hear Him say, "You're doing good, J."
There is so much to be said about the inner empowerment that comes from knowing God, and being known by Him. Jesus is always inviting us to share ourselves with Him. Sure, God knows everything about us, even more than we do; but, there's an intimacy that's lost if we never offer ourselves. I've learned that telling Him about the things I think, the things I love, the things I don't like - that just sharing myself with Him as I'd share myself with a loved one - is really where Life with Christ begins.

It's the same with any serious relationship - we must share ourselves in order to cultivate intimacy. God is not some far-off being that's just looking to punish us for our sins. No! He's closer than our next breath, and His love for us is all consuming. He will take the worst hell, and reveal all of heaven if we'll let Him. But, oh, how bitterness, anger and other 'hurts' cloud our eyes from seeing His Glory, and stop our ears from hearing His Voice.
So often, I would rather trade being happy for being 'right'; for, that's often what keeps us from Him... from knowing His Love. It's OK, even good, not to be 'right' all the time - you won't believe how much freedom there is in that thought. And, that leaves us with so much more room to learn.

Be blessed, and be stretched. Grow.