Raised.

"The tension is here between who you are and who you could be, between how it is and how it should be..."-Switchfoot

On the day of my baptism, it was a very stormy day.

Waves crashing all around me and the wind whipping at my face I felt Him.

Looking around, I knew that I would never forget that day because on that day, I dedicated my life to being a kingdom bringer, a Christ follower, someone surrendered to God.

Since that day just over a year ago, God has taken my seeking heart and led me away from things I used to pursue but He has also reminded me that every day is a struggle between our own desires and His.

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on Earth.  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ who is your life appears then you will also appear with Him in glory." -Colossians 3:1-4

The thing is that we have been raised.  God raises our lives to a higher standard above that of this world's.

Carrying us away from a life of hurt and self-destruction that our foolish hearts can lead us to...

Away from drinking, partying, empty love, and our own selfish pursuits and into a life worth living.

Don't you think God deserves your best?  The dedication to live a life following in His love with every step we take.

He raises us to sing beneath the shadows of His wings, lifted up above the masses.

Every single thing you do in this life is written inside the definition of who you are in Christ. He loves us no matter what we choose to do, but why should we choose to stray?

God loves every piece of who we are and grants us access to a love beyond anything we deserve, raising us to persevere through the rain and storms this world batters our hearts with.

If you have dedicated your life to Christ, what is stopping you from living like it were true?

If Christ resides in your heart,

 allow Him to direct your steps, 

allow Him to raise you above the worldly standards restricting our dreams and hopes for this life.  

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” -Isaiah 30:21