Rescued and Redeemed.

Hey guys!

So this first week and a half has been a whirlwind. I'm filled with love for my new friends and this city, and it brings me so much joy to be living in community with such wonderful people... even though they all have Midwestern accents ;) This city is incredible - and so lost. Amidst the artwork and crazy architecture are a hurting and broken people, and God is slowly changing my heart to be broken for them. And not just to be broken for them, but to do something.

I've been a Christian for a long time, which don't get me wrong, is a huge blessing! But somewhere along the line I lost my childhood sense of limitless faith and wonder, and replaced it with a sense of bitter apathy. I played the Christian role when it was easy and convenient, and didn't reach out much outside my "bubble", because it was hard. I can see now how selfish that was. As a part of my time here in Chicago, we put aside at least one day a week to spend doing ministry on local college campuses. This is something I am not comfortable with and am terrified about - by in my weakness He is strong, and is glorified. I can no longer be selfish and keep this good news to myself!

As the project has gone on and my friendships have deepened, so have my convictions about sins I needed to admit before the Lord. And wow, He has truely rescued me and redeemed me! My story isn't one that I consider dramatic, but I was still rescued from sin and darkness, and better yet He washed me clean once and for all. These things for some reason are just hitting home so much more now than ever before, and I am so grateful for a closer look at what it means to follow Christ.

We are studying Colossians, and it is so full of truth and encouragment! One passage I love:

⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,^[e] 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, ¹¹ being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, ¹² and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you^[f] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.¹³ For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

So. Good. Our Papa is so faithful. I'm praying for everyone reading this, and I thank you for your prayer and support! 


Fun sculptures in Grant Park:

Silly faces: 

Fun with focus:

Love the harbor at night:

Wonderful roommates:

Talk to you soon, Meg :)