Week One of Classes

Sunset that can be seen from campus

So the first full week has been completed and if I am being honest it feels like it has been longer than that... its not that i am not enjoying it (cause i am!) but it has just been a long week. This week the speaker that came was discussing the kingdom of God and how it is truly the most important thing for Christians to understand and be able to discuss. The unfortunate reality though is that many people have not heard much about the kingdom of God and don't fully understand it. I will definitely not be able to discuss it all here, especially being that I still need to process it all, but I do want to share a bit of what I got out of this week. The speaker first discussed how God's glory can be seen in all things and is why us humans love to look at beautiful sunsets, listen to amazing music, and many other specific things that bring us joy. Us humans were built with the inner yearning for the beauty of God's kingdom and explains why we feel so much joy when we see the beautiful things around us, or watch a happy ending of a movie. This glory of God's kingdom that can be seen in all things and brings about emotion within people can also be revealed in the way we each individually live out our lives. We need to choose to live our lives in order to reflect God's glory in everything - even the small things like clean dishes, taking out the trash - as well as the big things such as interacting with others in social settings and work places. We need to do everything with a positive mind set and know that even if we don't enjoy doing a particular job or don't feel like talking to certain person, we need to do it anyways. Imagine if everyone began to take even just one part of their lives and live it completely to reflect God's glory and really begin to care about others around them before themselves. People's workplace, home, school, and social settings would be completely altered for the better. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. It can be really difficult to try and live this out, especially on days that you are feeling grumpy, but the positive attitude becomes contagious and you will definitely see a difference in the people around you. I have found this to be apparent here at YWAM as everyone here is really here to try and live their life for God and really get to know him more. Everyone wants to try and live their life for the glory of God and you can see a difference in the atmosphere. Everyone is very friendly and does things for each other even if it may be a bit out of the way for themselves. I thought it might be a bit overwhelming, but it really isn't... it is just like everyone is a big family (of course not everyone is perfect and it isn't quite heaven... but it does give you a glimpse to how life could be if everyone just chose to love one another and place other people above themselves). The second part of the lectures this week that I really liked and agreed with was that when we "evangelize" towards others and try and tell people about Jesus, we really have to invest time into that person's life rather than just going up to them and asking if they know God and then asking if they would like to ask Jesus into their life. Evangelizing cannot be a 5 minute thing and then just move on to the next person and tallying up how many people you have 'converted'. It needs to be about investing in people's lives and really getting to know them. You may never even see the results of the person, but people are definitely going to be more responsive, and willing to hear what you have to say (in their timing), if you just want to listen to them rather than just making them another person you have converted.
Anyway I could probably write a lot more (which is weird cause I'm not really a 'writer') but I want to try and keep it somewhat short and concise so you actually might get through it all :D
We have the weekend off, which is nice so that I can get some rest and journaling done, but here in Kona it is actually the Iron Man on Saturday (which is the longest triathlon that is held here every year - so that will be really exciting). It's been pretty nice here so far as for the last 3 years pretty much I have always been go go go with school and work, so now that I actually have free time and weekends off, this will definitely be a time of rest! (if I can.. sometimes I get a bit bored and feel like I don't want to just sit, which I guess is kinda good cause I have been able to go for quite a few runs.. so Jess and Na I be ready to train again when I get home for the half marathon!) Anyway thats all I gonna say for now!
Miss you all!!!
Keeping it Real :p
Rachael :D

Me and Two of my roommates