I get it.
It's easy to have "fun"
It's easy to do what "everyone else is doing"
It's so much more simpler to be "normal"
It's so much more simpler to be the "typical" or "quintessential" age that you are and do all the things you are "supposed" to do at that age - from puberty until the day you die...we all are going through it
It's just selling out. Plain and simple. I know. Been there, done that. Learned.
Who said that 16 years old = be out of control and be sexually active?
Who said that 18 years old = the above plus find drugs and alcohol if you haven't already?
Who said that 21 years old = be drunk because you can be legally now?
Who said that all of those things were "normal" or "fun"?
Is it really "fun"?
Hangovers are "fun"?
Regrets are "fun"?
Mistakes are "fun"?
Nights you can't get back and words you can't take back are "fun"?
Do you really know if "everyone else is doing" that one thing you now covet?
Yeah, you're right that it is easy. It's the easy way to get through life. Because it's not living up to the full potential that you were created for. It's giving in way too early in the game.
The other life, it's harder. No doubt. No one ever said, if I trust Jesus, life is cake. It's a struggle. It's giving it all away for something bigger and better and much more beautiful. It's selling out, but not to anything this earth can give. It's selling out to the One who made you, who saved you and shows mercy, even when we have no gratitude some days.
It's so funny to look at life now. To look back and see how even in all the chaos I created for myself, God was in it all and was always good. God was forgiving and was there the whole time, yet I just never looked His way.
Has it been easier since I sold out to God? Not really. Some moments are so much more difficult than they were before because I am aware of the life I had before Christ and the temptations I gave into so easily. I will say this though - Life is so much sweeter. I wake up with a smile. That may sound cheesy but it's true. I have a joy that I can't describe.
I have a purpose. I believe we all have the same purpose. To love God, love people, accept and follow Jesus Christ and spread the word of God using the gifts and talents He gave us. That's why I get up everyday now. The other stuff, the job, the car, the house, the "normal" - that's all the perks of some of the earth and the setting of the story and background noise. Even my husband, who I love more than anyone else, other than Christ; even he is just a sweet part of the deal that I have with God. I believe God brought us together for His reasons and I thank Him everyday for Mark. But, Mark is not my everything and if I didn't have him, I still have life and my purpose would continue without him. Because God is my everything.
Is that purpose hard? Is that life easy? Depends on the day...but either way, God is there.
When you wake up from your "fun" night, are you alone? Do you feel alone? Do you feel empty?
You don't have to.
So, yeah I get it. It's easy to sell out to all the other stuff. But I promise, to sell out the other way...will be worth it. It might not seem like it in this moment, but one day, it will be. The best part, God will be there, with open arms and a forgiving heart. You will still be just as precious to Him as the day you were born and will stay that way until the day you die and walk into His Kingdom.
If you don't believe me, just ask Him.
