Days

Well, I will be heading back to Kansas a week from today and I have 2 more full days left here in California before I head back home. I have definitely found my time to be much easier the past few days as I have reverted back to my daily blog posts and letting God take control. It is easy to take part in the world and just live life everyday but it takes a strong minded person who wants what is best for themselves for eternity. It is not about being perfect, but it is about doing what is healthy and what has been commanded of you by your creator. We all hit bumps in the road and sometimes like just downright sucks but as I used Romans 5 yesterday, perseverance builds character and since I already established from much earlier posts, character defines who we really are, we can see that our struggles show our true colors and whether we overcome or fall under pressure. I know how easy life can be with the help of God and I am trying to make it a daily routine to invite him in and to let him have control of my life. This is rather complicated for me but I know that I am beginning to see the benefits and people around me are starting to see the transformations that have taken place. I love helping friends and I can always promise to be there but it is a two sided effort and I need to stay connected to God as well otherwise I will burn myself out. 

Colossians 2:20-23 states, "Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 'Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!'? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence." We have been called to be set apart from the ways of the world and only when it becomes evident that we have, can we fully begin to impact those around us as they see the changes within us. They might try to provoke old behavior or force you into sin but standing strong will show that you are different and that there is something to the relationship that you have with Christ. When people feel you have distanced yourself from them when you have not at all, this I believe is a good thing. It means that your priorities have been realigned and you are spending more time doing what is going to benefit you in the end and hopefully are giving the time to God that he deserves. When people ask you how you are doing in your walk and they do not even have a personal relationship, people are noticing and they are holding you accountable and checking to see if you are the real deal. People notice success when they look to find it and they will want to have what you have if it means making life easier and better. I have experienced this first hand and hope to continue to show people changes over the next semester and hopefully take some more steps in changing people's lives. I believe I have influenced people in helping making decisions that will hopefully be very beneficial not only in their walk but also in helping them grow just as a person in the world. Growing up is not the same as getting older and I believe that growing up obviously takes a lot more work. We cannot force people to grow up but we can guide them and wish them the best and give them advice that will hopefully maximize their growth. 

I am excited for what the next week will bring as break winds down and I am excited to start a new semester and see what challenges I must face. Things are going well for me and I hope to keep making positive and beneficial decisions and striving to do the right thing everyday. Hope you all had a great day. 

God Bless,

Joseph Robinson