my prayer

so tomorrow this time i'll be checking in at sfo. CRAZY! i was telling my mom this morning that about this time last year i was getting back from south asia and now i have the privilege of going back. i cannot wait to see how this trip is used for the God's glory!

this morning i also got really anxious. i mean, really anxious. i have a full bag and it's pretty heavy. my carry on is almost full and i feel like there is more to pack. i kept getting distracted as i was before the Lord, so as i talked to Him about it, philippians 4:4-7 kept coming into my, (sadly just the gist of it though; i had to look it up).

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

clique as it may be, it is SO true, it continues to say:

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

think on the things of God, rather, think on God, the only One who emulates these qualities in their purest form and peace will be with you. how my focus has been on my bags being too heavy or not making my flights or being frustrated with work. really though, shouldn't i be fixed on Christ, the author and perfecter of my faith? the one who suffered the wrath of God to reconcile to world to God?

then i wondered to philippians 1. how paul prayers for people i wish to prayer for certain people in my life:

-my family and church family: "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God." (v9-11)

-youth group and friends: "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, ...I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him" (v27-29)

-me: the above, to be sure, and: "Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

None of this is to be out of arrogance, but rather love. and for the last one, i know paul was in jail; i'm not, but really, whatever happens, may it be for the glory of the Father. i know this is super sentimental (and long), but really, it has been on a my heart for a long time. see you in six weeks!