I tried in the last post to express my personal and ministerial gratitude for these two and it's just impossible to do. They have a passion for the LORD and the girls that is just contagious, and I'm so excited to be able to share a glimps of who they are with y'all.
In this post I'm going to introduce to you, Julia.
Julia has written a post for y'all, but I'm going to give you some fun facts about her first...
School: Junior at SHSU
Favorite Color: Bright Colors
Favorite Food: Home Cookin'
Favorite Verse: Psalm 62:5-8 (right now)
Favorite Starbucks drink: Caramel Latte
What are your plans after you graduate SHSU: I just want to follow the Lord wherever He leads me, whether that's across the world or back to Houston. I hope to go straight into ministry and do that for the rest of my life!
Abide: to remain; continue; stay: Abide with me. to have one's abode; dwell; reside: to abide in a small Scottish village...to continue in a particular condition, attitude, relationship, etc.; last.
Abide seems like a really old word that isn't used much anymore, but to me it carries so much weight. Do I abide in Christ and carry out the full meaning of the word? I believe that this verse depicts what I strive for daily. This is what my heart is set on. The Lord has given me the opportunity to work for Rachelle Oneacre this summer. I've known Rachelle for about four years now, and to be able to work with one of the most influential people in my life is a great honor. She has such a great love for Jesus and girls that she is such a blessing to be around. She started her own ministry, PiNK Ministries, after my first year of college and I have been so excited to see what the Lord has done and is going to do through PiNK. The verse above is also why I love being a part of PiNK Ministries. I know that every person involved has a heart to glorify God through all things that they do and every action that they take.
When I was first introduced to God's love at fifteen, I was so overwhelmed that nothing else in this world would satisfy my hunger to know more. Over the past five years, God has shown me such grace, faithfulness, and more of Him each day. How can I turn my back on the God of the universe who died to save me? I can't. That is why I knew I wanted to be in ministry before I really even knew that I was saved. The desires of what I want to do in ministry have gone every way possible. However, God has lead me back here- to a group of girls who are not much older or younger than I was when I came to know the Lord. A generation of girls who are hurting and longing for something more than this world can offer. They need a safe place, a place to run to in times of trouble- a refuge. We can only find this in the Lord. This is where abiding comes into play. "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust." -Psalm 91:1-2 I only long for the ability to share this with any young girl who is trying to find a refuge in anyone or anything else. The hearts of girls are so precious to me because they so deeply reflect the longing for something better than what the world tells them they can have or do.
Over the last year at college, I took a leadership training class for a ministry there called Chi Alpha. The Lord took that time to instill in me a trust in Him. Who else can I totally trust with my heart? Why should that be any different for these girls who are trying to trust people to heal their hearts when the ONLY one who can heal us has been calling us to Himself all along. This is my passion- to abide in Christ, to move out of the way and let God use me for His glory and for His purpose, and to show His love to the hearts of this generation of girls. I just know God is already doing great things this summer and I can't wait to see what's to come!
With Love,
Julia
With Love,
Julia
