Something bigger than me?

It's time for healing time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long
Time to make right what has been wrong
It's time to find my way to where I belong
There's a wave that's crashing over me
And all I can do is surrender

(Chorus)
Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something Heavenly

Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Reevaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow Your will
Or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is You want from me
I give everything I surrender...

The above is part of the song "Whatever You're Doing" by Sactus Real. (Listen to it!) God has been teaching me some hardcore things lately through various circumstances and situations. Sometimes we have trouble finding joy in circumstances and temptations. Even as Christians and knowing that God brings good out of every situation, it's easy to get wrapped up ourselves when we are dealing with things beyond our comfort zone. Something I've been reminded of is that this situation, this time of growing and this life is not about me. It is about the Lord and his plan and will, about his glory, about bringing him the praise that he deserves. When we go through times of testing or dealing with certain things, if we focus on him instead of ourselves it will make us stronger through Christ and will ultimately bring glory to our most wonderful and holy God. The change in the chorus at the end of this song is the truth: "Whatever you're doing inside of me, it feels like chaos, but now I can see this is something bigger than me, larger than life... something heavenly."

And speaking of the glory of God, read this amaaaazing article that creates such a great perspective on the glory of the most High:
Desiring God

What a great reminder during this Thanksgiving season when it's easy to get wrapped up in traditions and food and family. As great as all of those things are, let's remember to thank our amazing God for the amazing blessings he's given us. Not only in the form of life and love and joy, but in the rough times, the difficult situations. Thank him for them. And let's give him ALL the glory, because he deserves it.

un día en el otoño.

Well the details I promised definitely became low priority as I finished up last week and we headed into fall break. Now with only 4 1/2 weeks left of class and exams on either side of Thanksgiving break, it's surely hard to believe my third semester of college is almost over. This of course, means an intense schedule and pressure to focus on school and yet enjoy a few more good memories with friends.

Fall break was nice, I spent it being taught by the Lord about things far beyond my imagination, spending time with family, recuperating and catching up on sleep and seeing friends from home. On Saturday Aliece and I ran a 10K in Charleston which was a great time. It raised money to give handicapped College of Charleston students the opportunity for scholarships. It is said to be one of the most scenic runs in the southeast, it overlooks the Ashley River and the peninsula of downtown Charleston. We are gonna try to keep up the pace and hopefully start getting competitive in these races. Eventually we may work toward a half marathon. Lauren and Aliece and I want to participate in a team triathlon at some point.

And I suppose I can't write an update post without mentioning the highly important happenings regarding the government and the history of the U.S. I voted for the first time on Tuesday, waiting for about 2 hours total. Although I don't wish to rant about or praise the results of the election one way or the other, I did want to mention this important day. While I was waiting in line Live 5 News showed up and did a broadcast. As the reporter presented his speech to the camera, he mentioned that the lines were moving efficiently there at the West Ashley High School. Everyone suddenly burst out laughing. The lines were not moving efficiently at all, some people had been standing there for 3 or more hours already. The cameraman moved to tape the laughing crowd and I chuckled to myself.

Later as I came out of the building after voting, I met up with my mom who was currently waiting in the same line I had been. Now a vendor had showed up and was selling peanuts saying, "Everyone's gotta laugh now and then... peanuts! get your peanuts!" It was awesome to see someone willing to come out and cheer up the line of people who had come out to fulfill their responsibility to our country.

I would like to close with a short summary of how I view the presidency of our new leader, Barack Obama. Some Christians have begun panicking, worrying, even becoming angry with the way the election turned out. The way I see it, God is in control, He has a plan. He will use whomever He wishes however He wishes. If Obama is in the White House, it is because the Lord willed it, and He will use him to bring glory to His name.

Romans 13:1
"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."

Let's be a people that glorify God in our actions and words, supporting our new leader by praying the God would guide his decisions and draw him to Himself.