Whom shall I fear?

We all have our own unique talents and passions. Even if we don't know them yet. 

Recently, I went to my old high school to play tennis with some friends. I haven't been back there since I graduated 3 years ago. When I think back to who I was in high school and who I am now, I can barely recognize who that girl was. I thought I knew everything there was to know and who I was. I will say that I never knew who I was in high school. I realized I just pretended in order to get by. I never respected myself or thought I was talented at anything. I had a miserable high school existence because I made it that way. I didn't appreciate the moments that were given to me. Instead, I was dreaming of a life I thought I could never get to. I can't even tell you what my dreams were at the time because I didn't even know who I was. My dreams in high school are 100% different from what they are now. You know why? Because God has forced me to take the time to figure out who I truly am. 

I'm in the season of waiting right now. 

This season has been extremely bitter sweet. It has been a lot of loneliness, tears, anger, fear and made me question everything I've ever believed in. Somehow, someway, in the midst of all the brokenness Jesus has transformed me into who I know He wants me to be. I wouldn't take back a moment of all the pain and heartache for a second. There's only one worse feeling than being broken into a million pieces and that is not knowing who you are. I used to stare at my reflection in the mirror and ask myself "Who are you, Tyler Scott?" I still don't have all the answers, but I have the One who holds it all. This season went from darkness to pure joy. God literally has stripped me down to nothing and rebuilt me in His image. I used to think having a lot of friends and having to know everything was the way to live, but I have lost countless friends and God has put me in my place with having to know all the answers. There is nothing good about arrogance. 

I still don't have a clue what my purpose is here on earth, but I have no doubt that The Lord is going to give me more than I ever dreamed of. What's my dream you may ask? To live a happy life with Jesus being His hands and feet. It doesn't matter where I am or who's with me, as long as I have my King I'm complete. 

What is God going to do with a shy, awkward and fearful person? Stay tuned! 

He > me.

Make me more like You and less like me.

"But I am trusting You, o Lord, saying 'You are my God!' My future is in Your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly. Let Your favor shine on Your servant. In Your unfailing love, rescue me." Psalm 31:14-16

Let there be light.

I don't know about you, but lately I've been noticing so much darkness in the world.  It's been one thing after another; death, brokenness, families falling apart and so much hatred.
It has just been too much for me to deal with.

I've been noticing more and more that life as a Christian is hard. Not only are we called to be in check with our spiritual beings, but we are also called to care for everyone else's as well. In this world, especially right now, Christianity is becoming one of the most persecuted religions. As everything is moving further and further away from Jesus, its getting harder and harder to live in the world around us. There are so many passages in the bible that apply for this darkness that seems to never get brighter.
John 15:18-19 "If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of it's own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. " 
We are called to live above the world, not in it. It would be so much easier to give up and compromise our lives to not have such a hard time, but whats worth gaining if you lose your soul? (Mark 8:36)

Stand firm.

As Christians we aren't perfect. We suffer from the same temptations and downfalls as every other human being. The truth is we are ALL so broken and so messed up. The only difference between Christians and the world is that as Christians, we realize we can't do this on our own. I am so weak, crazy and I have the worst attitude sometimes, but thank God for His son, Jesus. I don't trust my human self one bit. I don't trust my judgement, attitude, thoughts or well-being without Jesus. I'm merely a vessel that He controls and I promise you that because of this lifestyle I have chosen, life is easier.

Stay strong.

The point to all of this is that we aren't guaranteed joy and happiness all the time, there will be storms and darkness, but when you're walking hand in hand with the One who paid it all, how can you not get through it?
"How can you know where you stand in Christ if no one around you has a lamp?"

Christianity is a lifestyle. It is not a phase, on Sundays or something you'll try out when life gets too much to handle. It is you giving up your life so that He can live in you. It is an honor for me to say that letting Jesus control every single aspect of my life is the best thing that has ever happened to me. ALL glory to Him.

Let our light shine in the darkness.

"No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see so that everyone will praise your heavenly father." -Matthew 5:15-16

Impossible isn't possible.

I love the song "One thing remains." If you haven't heard it I highly recommend you check it out (you're welcome in advance). My favorite part of the song is the beginning lyrics saying, "Higher than the mountains that I face."
I don't know if you've ever been around mountains, but where I grew up in Texas there is nothing but flat landscape as far as the eye can see. When I went on vacation to Colorado this summer with my parents I was absolutely in awe of how amazingly detailed and majestic the mountains all around me were.  I was quite fearful when my dad asked me to hike one with him.  I looked up and thought "How on earth am I going to do this? I'm so, so small and I don't even know where to begin." A lot of the time, we Christians are so fearful of the mountains of trials and tribulations, that we often just stand there frozen in doubt of what we can handle and accomplish.  I can definitely speak for myself in this regard, but I also put off what God wants me to do instead of being obedient.  I am a very fearful person that takes no risks, ever.  I didn't want to break my dad's heart and say "no" so I went for it.  I stepped into the 46 degree temperature at a 9,000 ft altitude and started the small journey.
Along the hike, I saw so many beautiful things: waterfalls, frozen waterfalls, different animals, flowers, boulders, beautiful trees, tons of snow, etc. The best part about it was spending this time with my dad in his element. I would do it again and again.
 Our plan wasn't to get to the top of this mountain, but to just hike a few miles of a really awesome trail.  We decided from the beginning that we'd hike to "Calypso Falls." I can't even put into words how beautiful the sight was when we came upon it. It was worth every breath, every stumble, every tiring step.
I like to think this is what God wants from us. He wants us to just go for it and enjoy the journey along the way to whatever destination He has for us. He IS higher than the mountains that we face. No matter what it is in life you're going through or have yet to go through, God is here. He is here holding your hand, carrying you and He is bigger than any fear, worry or situation.
Praise Him for His mercy and grace.
"My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT.