Part XII - The finale of my story… the beginning of yours ❤❤❤

Maybe you are saying ok it all sounds pretty and all but what are the practical steps to do this? The finale of my opening story is a list of 10 steps I put together thinking how I got to where I am today… Don't take this list as a list of do's and don'ts, it is not a secret recipe... It is a compilation of the things I believe marked a change in my life through this process of finding who I am and why I was created. Like I mentioned before I dare not box you in… we all relate to God in different ways, we all grow in different ways… but just in case you are looking for a way to start, here it goes:

1. *Confess with your mouth. The bible says that if we declare with our mouths that Jesus died for us to set us free from endless wandering, He will forgive us forever, He will enter into our lives and He will make us new.
2. Expose yourself and show up. It's really all you have to do. I understand it feels weird showing up to a new place. Don't let other's experiences or taboos about church disguise you and create in you the wrong opinion. If you want something different… search in a different place. It all begins by showing up. Pastor Juda Smith says it best in his book 'Jesus is ______.' "Church is a place where a bunch of people who realize they need help get together to love Jesus and encourage each other. And then something happens: we start to change." 
3. Ask questions. You're not evil if you have doubts, we all have them. Go ahead an ask but be ready and open minded for answers. Some of them don't make sense in the beginning but through the process they will and the answers will come. This takes me to the next one…
4. No exploration is good without a compass. If you want to explore this Christian life and how to reach your potential, your compass is the bible. Multiple advises full of wisdom and encouraging stories are found there. The truth of who we really are is laid out block by block… so read it as often as you can.  You must read and interpret it for yourself… following other's interpretations might discourage or defeat the meaning of what God wants YOU to understand or what is trying to communicate to YOU. There is an awesome app for your phone called "YouVersion" this way you can read whenever and wherever you are. 
5. Read "The Message" version of the bible. Reading in an old translation of the bible might be overwhelming so this is why this point. The Message translation, keeps you entertained through an easy-to-understand-language.  It actually even sounds like a rap song, like poems, and clever messages. You will not fall asleep! I promise =)
6. Get involved. Find groups of people with your same objectives and similar vision. It makes your new journey that much interesting and fulfilling. We were not created to be alone. Do you have a hobby? Are you good at something? The tight groups of people you see at church have become tight through volunteering or connect groups. Don't come to church and feel like you don't fit in if you haven't actually tried.
7. One more thing about volunteering. It has the power to make you full and happy when you give to others and you see smiles of gratitude in response. You are supplying the need of a person at that exact moment and this just really fills you up with happiness. Don't ask me why. You just got to try it. #trustme. Even without alcohol or illicit drugs you can create happy memories. Our drug is love! Lol. I have not walked into church one day feeling sad or worried about something and walked out feeling the same because we are all there to be happy and volunteering together is our safe zone. What happens when someone's happy? Remember the theory of contagious cheerfulness? There you go!
8. Talk to God constantly. This is what praying really means. Don't worry if your words don't sound fancy like other people's you've heard. Praying is like a muscle. The more you exercise it, the more it'll show. There is no "right time" or "right place" to talk to God. Remember he is with you wherever you go! If you want to give thanks, or express frustration, sadness, happiness… just use your own words. Be yourself… He knows you and He loves you just as you are. He is ready to conversate with you.
9. If you fall get up and dust yourself off. Keep going even if you have to slow down. It is ok but DO NOT STOP! That simple!
10. Keep growing and thriving. Keep reaching. Keep leaning in. Keep exploring your gifts. Keep thinking of ways to become better and to help others become better. Let others help and show you new things. Overall, Believe in yourself, in who you are, and whose you are!

How do I confess and what do I confess?

The bible says we were created whole and sinless. One man disobeyed God and caused all of us after him to be separated from God's love and wholeness, and sin (the desire to do things that make us miss the mark of who we were created to be) entered into all of our lives. Before Christ for many years people established priests that would sacrifice animals for forgiveness of their sin but the wrath and the feelings of guilt were never satisfied. Until one day, God sent Jesus to walk amongst humans on earth to spread the message of God's love, but also to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sin so that we didn't have to keep chasing our tails like the people who wandered earth assigning priests that would take their prayers to God for them. Because God wants a direct relationship with you and with me, He sent Jesus so that we did not have to depend on anyone else's efforts to reach Heaven. Yes, we have direct access to love and holiness… I invite you to read this next part out loud if you want to experience this for your life:

"Dear God,

I acknowledge that I don't know how this all works. All I know is that I KNOW and I have this feeling that there is more to life. Now that I hear about you I cannot help but feel curious. So today, I choose to believe and declare out loud that you created me with a purpose and that you sent your son to die for me on a cross that I may live a full life and reach the potential you put within me as you created me. I want to know you more and I want to learn how to do life with you. Please show me how. Guide me along every step of the way. In your name I pray. Amen (so be it)."

Abstract cross - Brooklyn Bridge July 5, 2017
Canon Rebel IT6  /  ISO 200   ƒ/29   1/30   18 mm  

Dear reader,

Thank you so much for following my blog. It means more than you think! Thank you for being patient as I slowly unfolded my story and for sticking around! If you said the prayer in part XI or in this part, please let me know. Add an emoji to the comment section or even feel free to share your thoughts. You can leave your name or you can do so anonymously. I want to hear from you, I want to celebrate with you, and I want to pray with you as you begin this new journey. I am so excited for you!! 💙

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