REVIVE

::to return to consciousness or life::to become active or flourishing again::to renew in the mind or memory::to restore from a depressed, inactive, or unused state::bring back::

It's been a long time since I've posted anything here. A part of me forgot about this place—or wanted to forget about it. But, there's a part of me that cherishes the lessons learned here too much to forget. So, I want to press forward. I want to revive this old blog. I want to dig deep. I want to stretch myself. I want to think big thoughts again. I want to enjoy my hopes and dreams.

And, I want to learn how to walk closer in step with my Savior.

After all this time, He's still faithful. He's still tender and mighty. He's still loving and holy. He remains the same—and He's ready to revive my commitment to Him. I need to learn more about Him, though. I need to hear from Him. I need to be open and understand His character. The best way I know to do that? Reading His Word faithfully. Every day.

Here's to revival!

One step at a time,

Rachel

New Year, New Focus

Throughout the Bible and throughout history, I read stories of heroes of the faith who come to the end of their lives and have a bad ending. Their tragic ending was that they forgot their First Love.

That is something God has laid on my heart recently. Knowing my weaknesses and the many ways in which I tend to fail, this has become one of my greatest fears: that I would be working so hard for God that I forget to focus on Him in the process. At the end of everything, I just want to be in God's arms. May that be the one thing that I strive towards for the rest of my life: The SIMPLICITY of remaining in His arms.

The following song “Beautiful Ending” by Barlow Girl is my cry:

Oh, tragedy has taken so many. Love lost 'cause they all forgot Who You are. And it scares me to think that I would choose my life over You. Oh, my selfish heart divides me from You – it tears us apart.

Oh, why do I let myself let go of hands that painted the stars and holds tears that fall. And the pride of my heart makes me forget it's not me but You who makes the heart beat. I'm lost without You – Your dying for me.

At the end of it all, I wanna be in Your arms.

So, tell me: what is our ending? Will it be beautiful, so beautiful? Will my life find me by Your side, 'cause Your love is beautiful, so beautiful.

That is my heart's prayer: Lord, I just want to be in Your arms! As I enter into this new year, I have a new focus: Implicit trust. Simplistic love.

One step at a time...

Rachel <><