I CHOOSE YOU [life update - using a song! part 2]

Hey hey heyyy we're back with another vlog xD Haha, good morning! Happy weekend :) If you haven't already, I encourage you to read the post right before this! Okie, let's jump right in: 

Through the lows and the highs, I will stay by your side/There's no need for goodbyes, now I'm seeing the light/When the sky turns to grey and there's nothing to say/At the end of the day, I choose you

I have this fear of not being worthy and of being alone. And then, too, I'm just afraid of a lot of stuff!! Last week, I was crying out to Him and telling him how scary something was and that I didn't want to do it. But He just so patiently, lovingly reminded me that yes, it was scary - but He would be with me. 

Friend, whatever you're going through, know that God is with you. Through the highs and the lows, He's gonna stay by your side. He'll be with you through the valley of the shadow of death, and He'll be with you as you face your greatest fears. He's not gonna be like, "Oop, didn't see that coming...byeee! Sorry, you're too much for me."  Nahhh. He's here for the long haul!

Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Even though people come in and out of your life, God is our constant. He will never break His promise. I know that can be hard to grasp, but I pray that God would help us all see the light a little clearer and truly believe that He will ALWAYS be with us. 

And ummm this is kindaaa cool...God chose me. He literally chose me, before He even created anything!! Like whaaaatttt. If you believe in Jesus, that means that He chose you too!! At the end of the day, no matter what people have said to you or how you felt or whatever it is that's going on in your life, God still chooses you. And remember- your job is not to please people. Your job is to be faithful, and to bring glory to God! 

I went through a season of a lot of self-doubt at the end of 2020. It's getting better now, praise God, but I again kept trying to find my worth in guys and in my appearance. (Yea...being single is not all sunshine & rainbows...it's hard too!!) God has been continually reminding me that my worth is in Him - not in my face. Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain...but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised! (Proverbs 31:30) 

Now I found the strength/To make a change/And look at the magic I found/No matter the name/Or where you came from/'Cause no one has much figured out

I love this part hehe. I so quickly get into this mindset that I have to have it all figured out before I go to God. I think that I have to get my act together, I have to come to Him all ready to surrender everything and with a heart as soft as fluff. But in reality - He wants me to come as I am (but leave changed!). All of my messes, and my frustrations, and tears, and fears - He wants me to come to Him with all of it. Friend, you are never too far gone. There is no place where He can't find you. There is no mess that is too much for Him. 

And that strength to change? It comes from Him!! In the midst of everything, I'm learning to cry out to Him for help. He is so faithful, and He will always provide the way of escape if we ask! (1 Cor. 10:13) And the magic - aah, it's not magic, it's JOY. It's FREEDOM. It's PEACE. It's HOPE. Whoooo baby!! God is so so gracious, you and I don't even know :")) 

Last part last part!! There's a slight variation in the pre-chorus, which says this: 

I finally found where I feel I belong/And I know you'll be there with wide open arms

Again on identity - I'm learning to continually run back to Jesus and remember that I do belong - with Him. He's waiting for me with wide open arms! I'm learning to combat the lies the enemy throws at me and remind myself that my form's all filled out - that I belong, because He says I do. He chooses me. And no one can take that away!

Friend, I pray that you would choose God. This is my prayer for myself every day...because guys, let's be real! It's HARD. SO SO SO SO SOOOO HARD. There's so many distractions, temptations, and temporary pleasures that don't look so temporary at first. It's a daily battle!!

So let's find our strength in God. Is it hard? Oh yea. Is it scary? Ohhh yea. But God will be with you. He will strengthen you and encourage you, fill you with His perfect peace, and stand ready with open arms to receive you. 

As we head into more of this new year, let's choose to trust that God's reward is so much better than anything the world could offer. Let's choose to humble ourselves and be willing to learn from others. Let's chose to intentionally run after Him with all of our strength, and even more of His strength. Let's choose to be a light in our community, even if we think everyone's already fine. Let's choose to believe that what God says about us is true. And ultimately -

​Let's choose God. 

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! I'M PRAYING FOR YOU. What's something God has been teaching you lately?? What's something you want to intentionally chose to do this year? I'd love to hear!! ​