Radical

I thought I'd let you guys see a picture of My Best Friend (see below for reference)

This is us embracing RIGHT after one of our dear friends got married this May!

Can I just say that at first I was so discouraged about this particular aspect of our online class? Blogging is NOT my thing... I partially wish it was... and I enjoy reading other people's blogs... but I'm just not a big blogger myself. NOW, my opinion has changed, and I am thankful especially for the option of writing about WHATEVER we want. This week's post is going to be about a book I purchased last Saturday called Radical by David Platt.

Platt is one of the most convicting speakers I have ever witnessed. He inspires me (via the Holy Spirit) to WAKE UP from my Spiritual slumber and do. God's. work.

His book is also doing the same thing for me. My life has legitimately been changed and I have only had the book for six days. What Radical has done for me is open my eyes to the Jesus I serve in a whole new way and on a whole new level. When Jesus says stuff like "Pick up your cross and carry it daily" or "If you want to follow me, you must leave everything behind and worship only me," we Christians like to pass these truths by without giving it much thought and giving Jesus credibility. But what we quickly forget as we read through scriptures sometimes is that... THE BIBLE IS TRUTH. Why do we constantly form our own truths out of THE truth and ultimately get a false picture of WHO Jesus really is?

There is so much to say and I have no idea how to effectively condense my thoughts and beliefs into one single blog post. The book itself is not what is blowing my mind... it's how Platt breaks down the scriptures He incorporates. God's Word will shake you up if you are open to it. It is such a beautiful thing.

I suppose what I want to express is how so often Americans live so comfortably to the point in which their STUFF clouds their PURPOSE for being here. This is the reason why Jesus warns us while He's walking the earth and says, "If you want to follow me, you must drop EVERYTHING." Now this sounds quite radical, does it not? Well that's because it IS radical. This is a radical statement, a radical concept, a radical LIFESTYLE. I hate that not all Christians are considered "radical Christians." Every person who claims to be a believer should also be backing up that claim with a crazy, out-of-this-world (literally) lifestyle that reflects the only Lord, Jesus Christ.

It's time to take God out of our little American box and realize that He's not weak, He's not timid, He doesn't NEED us to complete His will. He just loves us that much that He's going to ALLOW us to be a PART of it so that we can get a taste of HIS GLORY and then thirst for it more and more. We are here for HIS sake, to point to Him always, but He was just fine when He was alone for all that time before He created the world and the people in it. You're either in or you're out. God wants it all or He wants absolutely nothing. The only problem with choosing nothing is... you're missing out. And you will be... forever.

My Best Friend

I have chosen to write this journal entry about my best friend, Megan.

She is your modern day, real life, Superwoman… only with red hair. Her heart is so big and so warm that I sometimes don’t understand how she’s even human. She is one of the busiest people I know, yet has time for everyone in her life that she loves and even those that are hard to love. My wish is that one day I would have maybe half the amount of compassion and work ethic she contains. Have you ever known someone who you just know you’ll be friends with forever? She is totally that person. I am so blessed to have not only an incredible best friend but at the same time, a beautiful role model in my life for the past 8 years… And she isn’t going ANYWHERE.

The picture is almost clear when I imagine us in our 80’s, sitting on the front porch in our rocking chairs, laughing about absolutely nothing and enjoying a virgin pina colada… because the real ones are gross. After Jesus, she is my sanity. She knows exactly when to make you laugh, uplift your soul, give you the perfect yet painful advice, and when to stop everything and just listen. Her zest for life is matchless…she never misses a moment. She is extremely generous and selfless, which is something so many people lack these days. She has her priorities set straighter than a line. God, family, friends, school, work.

You’ve probably seen her on that white and pink beach bike of hers with her long red hair blowing in the wind, most likely wearing the cutest, most well put-together outfit you’ve ever seen, and talking on the phone while waving to every other person on Chancellor’s Walk. This redhead is one of a kind and I cannot wait to live life forever with her. I want everyone to meet my Megan. She’ll give you guys a firm handshake and you ladies a sincere hug around your neck. You will notice almost immediately how Jesus shines through her big, beautiful smile.

Sometimes I don't understand how or why God is so good to me. I truly have no idea where I would be without this sister in Christ. The Lord has always blessed me immensely in the area of friendship. He surrounds me with joyful, encouraging, beautiful people who love Him with all their lives. I am so grateful for Miss Megan Suriano and I can only pray that one day every person will have a friend like her.