go all in. hold nothing back.

it's already november 15th. in a mere matter of days, i will celebrate my one month anniversary as a north carolinian. where has the time gone?

i spent monday and tuesday with the other interns of our region...we gathered in greensboro to debrief about our experiences thus far on campus. it was an intense time of personal sharing and affirmation that we are not alone in this entire process. i didn't know how much i needed to hear that.

one of our area directors did a fantastic job of confirming our calling to staff while making sure that we are maintaining our relationship with the Lord outside of our meetings with students and committments on campus.

"God is more concerned about who you are becoming than with what you're doing." - john hanna

it was an incredible thing to hear. i confess...there are days when i am more concerned about what's on my calendar than i am with how i am doing with my Lord...and then i am swiftly drawn back to the Cross and His promises for my life...the miracles He has performed and how much He desires me.

simply put: i can't make it without Him. i have nothing to offer outside of Him. my pursual of Him must be my very first priority.

that said, today was an incredible day of sitting in starbucks for hours on end meeting with students and getting to know them and their struggles while realizing that my vulnerability is necessary, as well. it's OK that i don't have all of the answers and that i am still trying to figure things out for myself.

more than anything, i want my students to know that i, too, have questions that only God can answer...that i search the Scriptures to find the Truth...that there are things i still don't understand and that that is OK...more than OK...because i cling to the promise that He will guide me to knowledge in His timing.

one thing i am learning how to reconcile: student's political agendas in the face of their faith. i have never personally been around strong Christians who are extemely involved in activism or politics that might differ from the typical Christian viewpoint and carolina is a much different college culture than james madison. carolina students are extremely vocal about their political parties and social justice. some of the conversations i have had recently have left me with an almost jaw-dropping response....not in judgment or disbelief, but more like... "whoa...i have never heard that before!"

i am intrigued beyond description. i would love to sit and listen to people outline their political views in conjuction with their faith and how Scripture ties into it all. more than that, i am excited to see how God continues to open my eyes/heart to students vastly different than what i have experienced in my own journey.

i want to be stretched. i want to be challenged. i want to see how God works through His people in various ways and through differing outlets. i know this campus will provide such a means for Him to work in me.

the one thing i do know? God is good. always. infinitely. meditate on that.