Learning Some Lessons

I realized last night and today that I really love college. I'm so blessed to be here!! And I just wanted to share some things I've been learning, so that I can remember them and so that you may be blessed because of them. :)

• God has a purpose for everything that happens and he can use mistakes and problems for good - because everything works out for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
• God can and will speak through other people, circumstances, worship, and His word. Listen!
• When God tells you to do something, do it. Don't hesitate.
• People are not scary! Be willing to invest your life into others. Listen to their needs, pray for and with them, and concern yourself with lifting them up and being a tangible of expression of Christ for them.
• Forgiving someone doesn't mean they were right, it doesn't mean what they did is okay, and it doesn't mean you understand what they did or why they did it - it just means you don't hold it against them. It means you acknowledge that God forgave you and accepts you as his child, and because of that, you have to forgive those who hurt you, and accept them as brothers or sisters in Christ.
• Always be willing to listen. And love on people with every chance you get. God will honor that and bless you.
• When you don't know how to pray or what to pray for, the Holy Spirit will intercede for you "with groanings that cannot be expressed in words" (Romans 8:26). So don't worry about praying the right thing, because he understands.
• When God points out something in your life that you're trying to hold on to, give it to him. Don't get all angry that God is shaking up the way you do things. Give him everything. Don't hold back because you're afraid. Relinquish control on what truly does belong to God, because he wants to do something beautiful with those parts of your life he shows you that he wants you to let go of.
• Pray. And don't just babble on and on. Listen to God. God wants to say something to you, but are you quiet long enough to hear him.
• Finally, work ahead. Because you do not want to be doing chapter summaries at two in the morning!

If you've read this far, I'd love for you to comment with some thoughts or post some things God's been teaching you. :)