What are you doing with your break?

You finally have time to do all the things you’ve been postponing till Christmas break:

-read the Hunger Games and every other book you’ve been hearing about

-catch up on your TV shows your classes kept you from

-stalk all the statuses/tweets you missed

-upload the pictures you’ve been taking all semester (you know who you are. No, really. Upload them. Please)

But, did your hope for this break include strengthening your walk with Christ?

I know I’ve been waiting to be home so that I can have time to myself, and time to talk to God.

My freshman year of college, I was literally NEVER alone.

Everything I did, someone else was there doing it along side me.

Going to class, going to church, eating lunch, studying.

The dorm life meant people were with me when I was sleeping. Or even when I was showering.

I was never alone. If I wanted time alone with God, or even myself I had to be very intentional. I had to find the opportunity, not wait for it to come to me.

And even when I did, I would be disobedient and choose to spend time with my friends instead.

This year having my own room, it has been easier to find time to myself. Time alone with my Lord.

So, you are home. You are alone. You are relaxing. Maybe you’re even bored already.

You have the time; you have the quiet. Take advantage of it.

-Have quiet times

-Cry out to God

-Ask him where he wants to use you this next semester

-Tell him what’s been burdening you

-Pour into his word

-Commit yourself to read a book of the Bible.

One of my best friends was over the other day and she said to me,

“I feel like I need to give back over the break, so today I googled places I could volunteer.” 

I laughed and teased her, calling her “Christian of the Year.” But honestly, her heart wants to serve. She wants to make her faith her own.

Take this break to make your faith your own.

In our Christian communities we get involved in bible studies and sermons, and worship. Which are all beautiful to God and huge in our growth in God. But we also need to seek God on our own. This is where our faith becomes personal. Where God makes himself personal. I read a blog of someone that said they felt they had “inside jokes with God.” I loved that. Because I knew exactly what he was talking about. Sometimes things happen and I look up at God and think “Wow! You knew I specifically would love that. You were thinking of me when you planned that one out.”

I’ll admit that even though I have desired to slow down and devote my time to the Word and talking to God this break, I haven’t done it as much as I need to. I have a lot to talk to God about; a lot the Lord is preparing me for this next semester. But I have to choose to be obedient and hear what He has to say about these things. I have to turn off my TV, log off of facebook, close out of my tetris game. And pick up my bible. Scribble in my prayer journal.

It takes self-discipline, self-control. You have to choose to run after Christ.

But trust me, its worth it. The Lord wants to reveal more and more of himself to you.

So, do it. Use your time at home. Rest, Relax, but don’t take a break.