Indy: A Next 'Nother New Place Again

The view from my living room window! This picture doesn't even do justice to the beauty of the fall season.

About five months ago I packed all my stuff and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana for a new job. I'm not sure why I thought it would be easy to move 700 miles from my sisters and all my friends to a state where I only knew one other person, but I was certainly wrong about that.

Everything about moving, and being in this new city has been...not easy. It's not Indy's fault, it's a nice city. It just seems like all the things that fell into place and led to me coming here haven't stayed in place since then.

But even in this there are lessons to be learned, and old lessons to be reminded of. Here are five lessons from the first five months here:

1. Life changes, and yet, it doesn't. There are lots of things that are different about my life here (like not having friends that I can randomly make plans with), but there are lots of things that are the same. Fall is still gorgeous, I still hate getting out of bed in the morning, and perhaps most of all, I worship the same God at my new church.

2. Friends are awesome. First, shoutout to my roommate who puts up with me, particularly in my first few months here when she was the only friend I had. She'd make sure that I'd get out of the house and do things. Second, shoutout to all my old friends who've been messaging and following up with me to make sure I'm still alive and okay in my new home state (y'all better come visit me!) Third, shoutout to the new friends that I'm making here, which is exciting and cool and different.

3. Know yourself. It's always funny how new things and new situations teach you more about who you already are, and influence the person that you are becoming. I've learned a lot so far about the person that I am (for better or worse) and what I need to be content.

4. Just go with it. Sometimes (actually, a lot of the time) things don't work out quite the way you expected. It's been tough to learn to go with the changes, knowing that it will eventually work out. Which leads me to my last lesson...

5. God is in the new place too. One of the things that I sometimes forget (especially when things don't seem to be working out) is that God is with me here in Indy, same as in Jersey, and in Ithaca and in Bim, and everywhere else I've been. And I still need God just as much here as I have everywhere else.

Be blessed and shine through the changes!

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Biweekly Bits #24: Encourage others

After writing 26 bits, I realized that there is so much I could elaborate on with each of my bits. So I decided to turn them into a biweekly (i.e. fortnightly) series, for the next year.

Encourage others. My senior year of college, I was a tutor for students in 100-level biology and chemistry. All of them were students of color, many of them were first-generation students as well, and all were science or pre-health majors, and were struggling in the intro science classes that they were required to take. But we worked hard, and they had practice problems and analogies (and the occasional marker thrown at them for saying foolishness). But I didn't realize until much later that the greatest thing I did for them was that I believed that they could do this whole college thing. One of them said to me one day, "Shanique, sometimes I think you believe in us more than we believe in ourselves." My reply to her was, "Well, someone has to believe in you." They all have either graduated from college, or will graduate this academic year.

Biweekly Bits #23: Speaking the Truth, Graciously

After writing 26 bits, I realized that there is so much I could elaborate on with each of my bits. So I decided to turn them into a biweekly (i.e. fortnightly) series, for the next year.

Everything that's true doesn't need to be said. I'm not saying to lie to people, but if the truth isn't constructive (constructive => construct => building up), then is it beneficial right at that moment? For example, when I was in fourth form (~9th grade), one of the girls in my class decided to shorten her school uniform skirt by folding its hem on itself and stitching it up. As a result, her school skirt had a hem of about 5-6 inches, which was quite noticeable, and quite frankly, did not look good. She was also sporting a red weave that day. Self-conscious, (mostly thanks to the snide remarks coming from other students) she asked one of the other girls how she looked. The girl replied, "Your hair looks bad, your skirt looks bad; you on the whole look bad." Was it true? Yes. Did it need to be said? Probably not. Definitely not in that manner. (Also, refer to #17.)

Biweekly Bits #20: Sometimes, you have to say no

After writing 26 bits, I realized that there is so much I could elaborate on with each of my bits. So I decided to turn them into a biweekly (i.e. fortnightly) series, for the next year.

Sometimes, you have to say no. My mother always used to tell me when I was younger that I didn't know how to say no. As a consequence, I was always too busy, and my time was over-committed, so much so that I'd catch a cold and be sick for weeks because I didn't have time to get better. But gradually, I've learned to say no (or at least, "not right now"), because I don't have time to do all these things and do them well. (See also #10).

The Christian walk, in addition to being a relationship with Christ and a religious practice is a call to serve others. Thus, as Christians, Christian women in particular, we often feel like we can never say no to others who need our help, and we end up over-extending ourselves. (Anybody else feel that way?)

However, we forget that while Christ calls us to take up our cross, and to go into all the world, and to love others as He has loved us, he has also called us to find rest in Him. Yes, my friend, there is a place in Christ for his followers to take rest. And in order to rest, sometimes, you need to say no to all of the various things that pull us in seventeen different directions simultaneously.

Saying no doesn't mean that you aren't committed to your ministry, and it doesn't mean that you are not committed to Jesus. To take time to rest does not mean that you are failing in your walk with God. Instead saying no means that you recognize your limits as a person, and the necessity of taking rest in Jesus, and taking time to spend in solitude with Him, and/or to take proper care of the body that God has given to you. Just like we rest a part of our physical bodies that have been working constantly, as part of the body of Christ, we also need to feel free to take time to rest and recharge.

Sometimes you have no. Because you don't have the time, or you don't have the energy, or you don't have the expertise. Maybe the timing is just all wrong. And that's okay. Don't let having to say no to someone make you feel like you've done something wrong, even if they try to make you feel guilty about it. Pray for the grace and the discernment to know when (and how) to say no, because sometimes, you have to. Remember that even Jesus withdrew from the crowds at times to rest and recharge.

Do you have instances where you've had to say no? Share them in the comments below, if you would like to!

Be blessed and say no sometimes!

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Biweekly Bits #17: Timing is Important

After writing 26 bits, I realized that there is so much I could elaborate on with each of my bits. So I decided to turn them into a biweekly (i.e. fortnightly) series, for the next year.

The right thing at the wrong time is still the wrong thing. Have you ever thrown something away and then needed it shortly thereafter? Or found something that you really needed once you no longer had need for it? Or received something, met someone, gained an opportunity that seems wonderful, but you KNOW you aren't ready to fully receive/appreciate it? Timing is everything. More importantly, God's timing is everything.

I've often experienced this phenomenon, where right after I give or throw something away, I come across the one situation in which it would have been useful to me. It's such a frustrating position to be in! But to be honest, it never was a do or die situation: things worked out just fine without having that one thing that I thought would have been perfect for that situation. Perhaps this is one of the best illustrations of God's timing, that even when we think the circumstances are not ideal, he nudges us forward, whispering, "It's time my dear." It is in times like that that we trust God's sovereignty over our lives, knowing that if He is calling us, the time is right, and we will be fully equipped to do whatever is asked of us.

I've also experienced what might be the opposite of the former situation: a seemingly great opportunity comes along, but for some reason, you can't take it. While sometimes missed opportunities are exactly what the name suggests, there are also times when missed opportunities are the voice of God saying to us "Not yet, my dear. It's not time yet." This is particularly hard to hear when something seems to be perfect for you, except for the timing, when everything that you wanted seems to be walking right by, but you can't take hold of it. The right thing at the wrong time is still the wrong thing. It is in times like these that we trust God's sovereignty over our lives, knowing that there is a reason for "missing out", and trusting in His ability to provide for us.

The key to trusting in God's timing is trusting in God. If we pine after the "what ifs" and the "could have beens" and the general "shoulda-woulda-couldas" of life, aren't we at the same moment implying that God is not always good? Or that God cannot be trusted to provide for us once more? When Samuel was called by God (1 Samuel 3), he was confused, and he didn't understand the call. God had to call Samuel three times before Samuel finally knew how to respond. But God kept calling Samuel until he answered, because God had work for Samuel to do, and the time was right for him to do it.

As a young boy Joseph had a dream that all his brothers would bow before him (Gen 37). He knew that this was a dream from the Lord. But it was decades before Joseph saw that dream come to fruition, and before it did, he would spend years in jail in Egypt. During that time he interprets a dream for the king's cupbearer (Gen 40), who would be reinstated to his position. When the cupbearerer leaves the jail just as Joseph predicts, Joseph asks him to remember him to the king, so that Joseph too, could be released from jail. And the cupbearer does remember Joseph to the king, two years later. Joseph was probably very frustrated as the days went by and he remained in jail, but God's timing was perfect. Joseph was released from jail just in time to warn Pharaoh of an imminent famine, which would result in him being named Pharaoh's second-in-command. When the famine did come (Gen 41-42), Joseph's brothers came to Egypt to purchase food, which would place them bowing before the appointee of Pharaoh who was, yup, their brother Joseph. God provided, and did it in His time.

Every time I come to a crossroads in my life, I have a  greater appreciation for God's timing. I think we've become so used to this 21st century culture of having whatever we want, whenever we want, that we miss the beauty of the right thing coming at exactly the right time.

This time, I'm preparing to graduate, which of course means that I have to decide what I'm doing next, and as of this moment, I have absolutely no idea. It's frustrating to be so uncertain, but I remember having every single class that I wanted to take mapped out at the beginning of my freshman year of college eight years ago, and how much that changed because of the ways God moved in my life. But it is in this season that I can most appreciate God's timing, because I am confident that not only will He guide me as I make major life decisions, but also that the timing of His provision is always perfect.

So perhaps you may share this prayer with me today, that the right thing may happen at the right time. Or maybe this week you can rejoice over the beauty and perfection of God's timing in your own life.

Be blessed and shine in His time!

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Biweekly Bits #16: Dare to be Different

After writing 26 bits, I realized that there is so much I could elaborate on with each of my bits. So I decided to turn them into a biweekly (i.e. fortnightly) series, for the next year.

Don't be afraid to be different! It is our differences that make us distinct, that make us unique. So don't be fearful of doing things a little differently from the rest of the crowd. 

This has always been a tough thing to do. As much as our society is individualistic, it only seems to value "standing out" in certain ways. And if you're one to think outside the box, be ready for a LOT of opposition.

But the truth is, throughout the Bible, everyone that God has called has gone outside of the status quo, and their faith in God to hold everything together when it all seemed to be falling apart is what made each of them able to step out and dare to go against the grain. We see this with Abraham, leaving everything familiar and going out into the desert, with Moses going to Pharaoh on behalf of the people of Israel, with young David and his slingshot in the face of Goliath, with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, with Daniel, with Hosea, with the disciples, with Paul, and most importantly, with Jesus.

So often we are afraid to be different. To be the one who speaks up and says, "actually, I don't agree", or "the Lord is leading me differently" or "my goal is a bit different from what you think it should be." We forget or ignore that we are each created uniquely, set apart to do good works for Christ (2 Tim 2:21). It is our differences as members of the Body of Christ that unify that, that make things work. And when we try to fit in, we cast off what God has called us to do, almost as if we're telling God that He should have given our purpose to someone else.

When Jesus called the first sets of disciples, the basic expectation was that they would do things differently from the standard worldview. In fact, a great part of Jesus' ministry here on earth was challenging the status quo, making people think differently about how they related to and approached God. 

Jesus still calls us to be disciples, and that still means that it is a call to be different.

So what to do? Listen when God whispers to you to swim against the tide. Walk boldly when no one wants to walk with you. Dare to be different, to be the unique person that God has created you to be. Live a life worthy of your calling (Eph 4:1), guided by the Holy Spirit.

Be blessed and shine daringly and differently!

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Hymn-ful Sundays! "We Have an Anchor"

This week's hymn is by another female hymnwriter! Priscilla Jane Owens was a 19th century American teacher, who wrote many hymns for the Sunday School students that she taught. This hymn is one of her best-known ones.

Hymn-ful Sundays! "Hallelujah! What a Savior!"

It is Resurrection Sunday! (Also known as Easter Sunday.) Today we celebrate our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Not only did He die for our sins, but He conquered death itself so that we might have life in Him! Hallelujah!

This week's hymn really speaks to the purpose of Christ, so I thought it would be a good one for today. It's written by Philip Bliss, and was written shortly before his death. Bliss was a preacher and a hymnwriter in the 19th century.

Biweekly Bits #6: Respect Your Elders

After writing 26 bits, I realized that there is so much I could elaborate on with each of my bits. So I decided to turn them into a biweekly (i.e. fortnightly) series, for the next year.

Respect your elders. Learn from them. There are so many valuable lessons to be gleaned from the lives of those who come before us. Listen to the stories of the older people in your family or community. There's a wealth of knowledge that they have gathered over the years, and they won't always be around to share it. Learn about your history, it will tell you a lot about who you are, where you came from, and what that means. After all, you didn't just pop up on the earth one day.

There's really not much more to add to what I've said in this bit. But I'll leave three points with you for today.

Hymn-ful Sundays! "I Cannot Tell"

This week's hymn is by William Young Fullerton, and is set to the tune Londonderry, best known as being the tune of the popular song Danny Boy. Given that Fullerton was Irish, this choice is really not so surprising. Not much else is known about Fullerton, except that he was a Baptist preacher influenced and mentored by Charles Spurgeon.

Encouragement in Doubt (Guest Post)

Hello everyone!

I'm guest posting at Comments on Christianity today!

Here's a snippet (read the whole thing here):

Head over to Comments on Christianity to read the rest!

Be blessed and shine through your doubt!

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7 Snippets of Encouragement for Young Christians

If you consider yourself a young Christian whether young-in-Christ, young-and-in-Christ, or both, this is for you. If you don't you can still keep reading too!

A few words of encouragement for my young Christian friends, with scripture references, of course.

1.  People look down on us sometimes because of our age.  Sometimes, they aren't even older people, our peers may do it too. They fail to understand that a lack of life-experience does not mean a lack of God-experience. As a young person, you are an extremely powerful Christian: not only do you have many years of serving ahead of you, but you also have a fresh outlook, a new perspective, an understanding of a generation that is still trying to define itself. Be encouraged by 1 Timothy 4:12 and Jeremiah 1:5-8.

2. Never dumb down the Word. Don't let anyone dumb it down for you either. Its potency and its power lies in its purity. Do not feel that because you are not as educated as some biblical scholars that God's word needs to be watered down for you. God created you. The Holy Spirit that lives in you is just as powerful as the Holy Spirit that lives in your pastor…it's the same holy spirit! Within you is an innate understanding of Him, an understanding of worship, an understanding of His will. So study the scriptures, test the spirits, and don't only rely on others to do it for you. Be encouraged by Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 119:160, Deuteronomy 4:2.

3. We have power. I have realized that as young people, our powers of discernment are sharper than we think. We can often tell when a person's spirit does not align with their outward appearance. We can feel when a worship atmosphere is forced. We can perceive what is just spiritual hype and what it true worship. In the same way, when we forget about trying to fit into the (sub-)standard of today, our worship is pure. It is beautiful. It can change lives. It can change nations. It can change generations. Be encouraged by Acts 1:8, Ephesians 3:20.

4. Position yourselves well. We always move in the direction of influence. Therefore we need to position ourselves to be influenced by the right people. The right influence for you is not the same for someone else. You'd be surprised at some of the people and situations that God will throw into your life to be a positive influence on you, pushing you towards Him. Be encouraged by Jeremiah 6:16. 

5. We NEED community. This is really part 4b, lol. No matter what you think, none of us can do this Christian walk alone, nor should we try to!  Bible study at home on the occasional Sunday is fine, and  watching service via live streaming every now and again is okay, but face-to-face interaction in a community of believers is a must. Seek out community. Find yourself in a church with solid teachings and teachers, get yourself a mentor, find some Christian friends who will build you up and hold you accountable. Use discernment to choose all three of these, because some are not as they appear, and there are definitely both some goats and some wolves among the sheep. Yes, some churches/Christians are a hot mess, but that's because people are generally a hot mess, which is why we all need Jesus. No one is perfect, but that's why we're a body: I bet your hands pick things up better than your feet do, don't they? Be encouraged by Romans 12:3-8, Hebrews 10:25, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 and this tweet by Beth Moore:

Just gonna say it like this: get your hind end into a strong community of believers & your head in the Scriptures. You cannot do this alone.

— Beth Moore (@BethMooreLPM) February 7, 2014

6. Keep praying. If you don't pray, start. Prayer is powerful for two reasons, it connects you to God, and it connects God to you. If you don't know how to pray, then I need you to do two things for me: (i) start talking to God. Just talking, tell Him about your day, share what's on your heart with him. Do it for just two minutes at a time; (ii) start reading and learning about prayer. Start with the scriptures first, then, if you would like, read what others have written about prayer. Develop a habit of praying. And if you have been praying for a long time, and it's always about the same thing, don't get discouraged -- God hears your prayers, he hears your cry, and he is faithful to answer your prayers. Keep a journal of your prayers and re-read it every few months and see how your prayers are answered AND how much you grow through prayer. Be encouraged by Matthew 6:5-15, Psalm 18:6, 1 John 1:9, 1 John 5:14-15. 

7. Shine boldly, beautifully, brightly. In order for a flame to burn it must have oxygen. Therefore, you cannot shine if there is no oxygen in your atmosphere, or if there are other "fires" burning that suck up all your oxygen. This points to two things: firstly, a need for personal space (not necessarily physical!); it also shows a need to remove the things (*cough*people*cough*) that suck the oxygen away from your flame. Surround yourself with oxygen-giving people. Interestingly enough, flourishing plants give off oxygen...think about that one. Be encouraged by Matthew 5:15-16.

To the young Christians in my life (or who may just have stumbled across this post), I love you all! I love our fire and our passion. I love our desire for Jesus. Let's all keep shining, and encourage each other to shine brighter.

Be blessed and shine magnificently!

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