Romans 8:18

Lately I’ve been listening to the song Truce by Twenty One Pilots at least once a day. Why have I been drawn to this piece so much?

My life has been in a grand transition for the past six months and I’m still trying to figure out what God truly has in store. I’ve encountered a lot of grief and hardship from within myself, my peers, and my loved ones. I’m trying to understand how my mind works (like not being able to focus on anything until I’ve written this post) and battle my own worst enemy—myself. I’ve prayed about circumstances that I could never even fathom being in and my heart has ached for the world around me. We do not have it easy.

However, there is hope in our trials and tribulations. Hope: “that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.” That hope is our Heavenly Father and his promises. One of my favorite verses that I’ve had to share with many people lately has been Philippians 4:7, which declares: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

As for “Truce,” I think it gives me consolation that the present circumstances are worth it. Twenty One Pilots, this band of two, has been a great solace for me as I’ve dealt with the stress of college, tried to figure out God’s plan for me, and began counseling for my anxiety. “Truce” has a brief message, but it’s a great one. We are going to struggle and go through pain, but let’s not shy away from the misery and look at our whole life with pride.

Let’s not forget the significance of our daily life: sharing the joy and hope we have found in Christ.

“Take pride in what is sure to die.”

Watch: Truce

~Annah

Living a Young, Extraordinary Life

Today marks 75 years of Young Life. Whether you are familiar with the ministry or not, what I want you to know is that it drastically changed my life. I would not be who I am today if not for Young Life.

From my experience with Young Life I have discovered this organization loves making people uncomfortable. There was always a moment of doubt before I participated in any trip, because I felt that I wasn’t cut out for it. But I always stuck it out and ended up more transformed as an individual than I had been prior to the experience.

Words cannot effectively describe my experiences through this organization. I can’t put into words the feeling of understanding Jesus’ sacrifice and crying for fifteen minutes, because my heart was bursting with contriteness. I can’t express what it was like to stand on top of a mountain and throw all of my sins over the edge, or cling to God as I hiked, because I physically and mentally could not have done it otherwise. I have watched broken teens find Christ, and you cannot find something more impactful... people singing their hearts out, with tears streaming down their faces because they have seen the Light. The ever-increasing hole in their heart finally found its filling.

See, the thing about Young Life is the people. They are the coolest people you will ever meet. Every member of staff is bursting with love and encouragement. Every person I have gotten to know has been a blessing. It is one thing to grow with God, but quite another to be surrounded by such a beautiful community that shows nothing but love for one another. It broke my heart every time I left a camp, because that type of community is not prevalent in our daily life.

Thank you, Dad, for allowing this wonderful ministry to be built 75 years ago. I know I am among countless people who have a similar sentiment. God is good.

~Annah

"Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder"

Ever heard that saying? I’m guessing most of you have. It’s an expression used to display the thought that beauty varies in the mind of each individual. And while I am touching base specifically on the female side of beauty, we are all subject to unrealistic standards, both male and female. Don’t get me wrong.

So who is the beholder for you? Maybe you’ve viewed the beholder as yourself, a significant other, your family, your friends, or even strangers. In today’s world, it seems society is the main beholder. But I’m here to suggest that the beholder we are speaking of is God. Or at least, he is the only one that matters. I want to discuss beauty with you from a Christian standpoint.

Society enjoys embedding its picture of “beauty” in our brains. Whether we want the opinion or not, it’s always there: on television, in magazines, online, and so forth. You are supposed to have a certain physique, a perfect complexion, specific makeup products, and a sundry of other physical features.

You may have heard a million beauty speeches before, and how we’re all beautiful in our own way, but I want to emphasize that you don’t have to feel compelled to look a certain way. As Christians especially, we should know this more than others. We should, but we usually don’t.

So what’s stopping us from loving ourselves? Why are we always finding flaws? I think at times we all struggle with truly believing that we don’t need to have a certain appearance. This, to me, is a result of two reasons: comparing ourselves to others and becoming caught up in the world’s view of beauty, instead of God’s.

I personally struggle with comparison frequently. Being premature, I look younger than I actually am, and I tend to be very self-conscious of that fact. It doesn’t help that the world tends to be shallow and vain, as is portrayed through the seemingly perfect appearances of celebrities.

But think of what Paul says in Galatians 1:10 when falling prey to comparison. “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” We, as Christians, should feel liberated from trying to uphold anyone else’s standard of beauty.

Now think of God’s view. God loves us and thinks you are gorgeous. He adores every inch of you, even if you don’t. He could care less if you brushed your hair or put makeup on. Every single woman is his label of beauty, not just women who are a certain height or weight or skin tone. If you want to find true beauty, according to God’s standard, just look in the mirror.

So let joy seep through every pore in your being, knowing, “You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a diadem in the hand of your God.” (Isaiah 62:3)

Take solace in knowing that as Solomon says of his wife, God agrees, “You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.” (Song of Solomon 4:7)

So let us, you and I, embrace who we are. Not who we want to be or who we are not. Don’t live by anyone else’s standards of beauty. Don’t even live by your own standards. Live by His. Do not let society convince you that you are not beautiful. The Greatest Beholder views you as breathtakingly stunning.

~Annah