The Rose

A LETTER TO YOU, THE READER, SO THAT YOU CAN FINALLY FIGURE OUT WHAT I’M THINKING.

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THIS MONTH: Freedom (and Prosperity)

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Dear Readers,

Let me start off with an apology. Small group, I love you dearly. I’m sorry I have not been able to participate as much as I would have liked to this month. Life sort of got in the way, and… well… here we are.

As much as I had hoped to write something philosophical this month about freedom, nothing profound ever seemed to come to mind. In fact, something very realistic took it’s place: the reoccurring thought of “I’m exhausted”. It’s just been that kind of month for me: run here, go there, do this, accomplish that. I’m even ending this month poetically by house sitting again for my parents, as I did at the beginning of the month.

Yet, aside from being busy and tired, I do feel deeply free and independent. Because I’m responsible, I’m free to make the choices I want. The whole overall potential of my life right now is very gratifying.

I guess I just never envisioned it would look this way. I mean, how is a healthy lifestyle going around and running yourself ragged, just getting busier and busier? I guess my only answer is: it makes you look good to other people and prosperous on Earth. You survive another day and make the world better.

But, lately I have been asking myself: is this what God expects of me? I think, as hard as it seems, the answer is a resounding “no”. Come to find out, God’s idea of turning freedom into prosperity is a lot different than mine. I encourage you to pick up the book I’ve been reading this month, called “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan. The points of my argument here are laid out straightforwardly in this book, something which has constantly challenged me as I’ve read it. If you really stop, think, and take what the author is saying to heart, I think you will find…. your life needs a God-like-sized makeover. This is because God’s idea of prosperity lies beyond this world, so what’s required is that we humans change our focus. I need to take the spotlight, my desire(s), off of myself and turn to God, Who is truly as best as it gets.

This realization couldn’t come at a more pivotal time in my life. I have many important decisions to make. Namely, I have to pick a major at Oakland University. It’s important that my career choice, along with all of the other crazy, busy things going on in my life right now, add up to something that’s pleasing to God. Everything needs to be aligned with His will and desires for my life, and not my own. I’m working on finding that out right now.

So, after graduation, reality is still there- just more intensely so. I have all the freedom in the world to do as I wish, and I hope I’m making the best of it. But, moreover, I hope my decisions are in line with what God wants and has planned for my life. After all, I’m HIS faithful servant, and not my own. My only wish is to serve Him to the best of my ability. Only then can I become prosperous… according to His idea of the word. 🙂

Thanks again for reading! Happy Independence Day! Take care!

Sincerely, Your Author,

Jessica Anne McLean