You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope

College life wears on you. At least it is starting to wear on me. Working on finding ways to continue to take care of myself in an environment where sleep is so rare and the work load intense. Jesus says, “Come all who are weary and I will give you rest.” That verse is cold water to my thirsty soul. Just proves to show that truly the “things” God calls us to are wondrous adventures, beautiful and full of life. But don't be fooled these adventures are not easy.  But the late nights, the hours of practice, the constantly being pushed to the end of my rope is worth it.

You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule” Matthew 5:4 MSG

Most nights I go to bed completely EHAUSTED, but also overflowing with joy and knowing I am blessed beyond measure. When you are living out your passion, it is not work. I am not living this lifestyle on my own strength but I am empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Coffee, tea, Jesus, worship, studying scripture, living in a Christ centered community are all some of the incredible gifts God has given me to give me strength, encouragement, joy and peace to keep going. To not give up. To continue to run the good race. I am reading Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis right now and it is blowing up my mind. Shaking me to the core. I have always loved reading Katie's blog and God has used it in huge ways in my life the past two years. And I know her book is going continue to challenge me to be a doer of the word. (A blogs on what God is moving in my heart in that regards is in the works).

I love to splurge on concerts. I love experiencing music and supporting the arts. I love music. It is a universal language. I honestly love all music. Good music is good music. As a worship leader studying Worship Arts at school; going to an old beautiful, historic music theater in the heart of downtown Seattle to worship and listen to GOOD worship music for 4 solid hours was an enchanting dream come true. By the first song I was wonderstruck in awe of all the musical beauty that was filling my ear drums. God presence was thick and tangible in the room. In this secular theater—God showed up. David Crowder, Gungor, John Mark McMillan, Chris August. I was overwhelmed by so much musical talent with hearts beating for the Lord Jesus Christ in one room.

The highlights of the night, Gungor blew the show away, their cellist played the cello AND beat boxed at the same time. He had a whole band in his mouth. Lisa Gungor is lovely as ever she was wearing a whimsical dress that both Aubrea and I badly want. The dress was a mix between something from Urban Outfitters and Free People. Christ August did his set with just his guitar and that incredible voice of his. He is so, so funny. He had me in stitches. He also talked about some deep theological issues and theories. Which being the theological nerd that I am, I LOVED. John Mark was his usually hipster, casual swagger self. He is one hairy dude. Reminds me of the men in Portland, OR. David Crowder Band played almost two hours and rocked it. I forgot how many famous worship songs that they wrote. What a great gift to the church. 

The most magical powerful moment of the night? Towards the end of the David Crowder Band set they sang How He Loves with John Mark McMillan (who wrote the song), Gungor, and Christ August. Every single hand in that concert hall was raised high and in awesome love for our Father God who loves us so. Wow. A holy moment that I will remember for the rest of my life. I have been blessed to say that I seen many concerts in my short lifetime. This was one of the best concerts I have been too. By far the best Christian Music/Worship concert I have been too. Not only is it worship music, (which though I am biased is my favorite type of music) it was not bad quality music. No lame four chord worship song but complex music bliss. Experimenting and worshiping God through good music.

Anyways, that is my summary of the concert for those who wanted to know how the concert was. I also must share how grateful I am for Jesus protection while we (Aubrea and I) were in downtown. We felt Him with us the entire time and Jesus went way out of His way to make it extremely obvious that we were not walking the streets of Seattle alone that night. From putting it on some of our friends heart to pray for our protection and that God would send an angel to watch over us. From God giving us wisdom for when we need to get off the street and come up with a plan in Macy's, to walking by churches with big light up signs lighting our paths with truths like "Christ is Hope" to walking back to our parking spot after the concert with other Christians who went to the concert too and their was a big guy in front of us in a rainbow tie dyed Cross t-shirt who also parked in the same parking garage as us. So literally we got to follow the cross all the way to our parking spot last night. It was like Jesus himself was leading the way, clearing the way for us. It’s incredible how far Jesus goes to give us peace in our hearts to show us that He is protecting us and watching over us. Answering our prayers. This is the Savior that I so deeply love and serve.

So much more I could share and want to share about my time here at SPU so far. But forced to stop and continue to study for my Spanish and Music Theory midterms.

Till the whole world hears,

Heidi