Where sin has gone must go God's grace; the gospel is for all.

at 10/19/08 12:00AM
Fall break brought me back to Kentucky, and God brought me back to some high school friends. Tonight I had a great time catching up with them, and I think God used them to teach me some important lessons.

They told me about our classmates: dropping out of school. Having children. Aborting children. Living with guys. Splitting up marriages. Betraying their friends. Bulimic. Mentally unstable. Alcoholic. Depressed. Gaining or losing drastic amounts of weight. Smoking. Sleeping with random guys. Using paychecks to buy pot... talk about a reality slap to knock the naiveté out of you.

The ironic part is how seemingly happy and popular and smiley they all were in high school. I often looked at my religious restrictions as making me miss out on all the fun, and I was jealous of their carefree prancing through the halls. But you know who's waking up smiling now?

It's not like I just live in the absence of depressing, messy things; instead, I live in the presence of rich and beautiful things. I have friends who would lay down their lives for me—friends who genuinely care for me and help me and lift me up and speak the truth in love. I have a boyfriend who respects and protects and values my purity. I have a mom and dad so faithful to God, and to me, and to each other. (Tomorrow is their 23rd anniversary.) I have a truly rare educational experience at Florida College, being taught by Christians and with Christians. And I have a unique lifestyle while at FC: knowing someone will check on me every night at curfew, finding happy mail in my mailbox, walking to class and waving at everyone in a half-campus radius.

God has blessed me with rich things, and I'm truly happy. The world may see restrictions, but I feel totally free in a John 8:32 kinda way. By living God's way and walking in His truth, I can be all that He wants me to be. I can enjoy His gifts while still longing for Heaven. I can be so confident in living each new day and going wherever He sends me and doing whatever He commands, because I know He'll take care of me. In the context of my classmates, the most religious kid is now the happiest kid.

Lessons learned:

1. Even (especially) in high school, be evangelistic. If I had spoken up a little more boldly, perhaps I could have helped someone. Odds are, not many would have listened. But even if I could have prevented one precious heart from breaking (and causing a domino line of others), it would have been worth whatever weird looks or laughs I had received in return. If they're in so much pain right now here on earth, I shudder to imagine the eternal anguish sin will bring.

2. Never underestimate your influence. Apparently a couple years ago, a guy asked me in front of the class if I was going to come drink at his party that night, and I just replied, "No, I like to remember the fun I have." And the very kids I thought were rolling their eyes at me were the ones silently applauding me. One of the girls I was with tonight told me about this, and about how proud she was of me that day. Who knew? Oh, God did. He sees inside people. And I love Him for that.

3. The Lord is my light and my salvation. Getting into my car tonight, tears immediately flooded my eyes as I began praying for all these kids. My drive back was on a dark and winding road, so I also said a quick prayer for safety. And then I realized how accidentally metaphorical my prayer was. Aren't we all driving down dark, windy roads? But as Christians, we get to drive with our brights on. God's word is a lamp to our feet, illuminating our paths so that even our night will shine like the day.

4. God is winning, and we are more than conquerors through Him. Go read Psalms 37 and 73.

If you devote your heart to Him, and stretch out your hands to him,
If you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,
Then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear.
You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by.
Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning.
You will be secure, because there is hope;
You will look about you and take your rest in safety. (Job 11:13-18)
  • bethoumyvision
    why do all of your posts make me want to cry? thank you for this uplifting, strong post. i'd like to have a phone conversation with you some time. i love you julianne :)
    by bethoumyvision at 10/19/08 9:39AM
  • curlie
    Beautiful thoughts!
    by curlie at 10/19/08 10:12AM
  • verny_mack
    Excellent post.
    by verny_mack at 10/19/08 1:23PM
  • butterfly
    It is sad how many turn to the wrong things for pleasure! Glad things are going well in your direction though. Happy Anniversary to your parents!:-)
    by butterfly at 10/19/08 1:45PM
  • fiddle_girl994
    Amazing post :) It was so good to see you Yesterday and I hope you have a safe trip back to FC! Love you so much!
    by fiddle_girl994 at 10/19/08 2:58PM
  • mkluvspink
    thank you for that post julianne. i know i needed to hear it. through the years of going to camp, i've slowly realized that christians have more fun because we have the Lord. our lives are so much better; you aren't the only one waking up smiling.
    by mkluvspink at 10/19/08 3:40PM
  • jadyc
    boo.
    by jadyc at 10/19/08 9:40PM
  • rundrummerrun
    Julianne, God has richly blessed you with the ability to write explosively encouraging blogs. For seriously. :) I thank God for these words, because He gets all the glory anyway. :) Again, thanks for the magnificent example you and Jady set... it's super encouraging! May our Lord continue to light your lamp and keep these thoughts and purposes in your heart!
    by rundrummerrun at 10/19/08 10:40PM
  • marksdena
    I am so sorry for all of your high school friends! It's a shame that so many people are like that. Your post was really good! That would make a great sermon or talk some time if you ever get a chance to talk to girls younger than you!
    by marksdena at 10/19/08 10:49PM
  • benb
    you're such an encouragement! thanks for the great thoughts. i hadn't had much experience with #3 until my usf experience, but i'm starting to get a glimpse of that. i'll see you tomorrow, lord willing!
    by benb at 10/19/08 10:59PM
  • titansfan0827
    Julianne, I love you...and miss you. Hope you have a wonderful trip and rest of the time until Thanksgiving break in Florida. Looking forward to seeing you again!
    by titansfan0827 at 10/19/08 11:26PM
  • alwaysmilin
    you are always a shining light. you are a lighthouse to so many people. thank you.
    by alwaysmilin at 10/21/08 1:16PM
  • dearest_violet
    I can't even being to tell you how encouraging that post was to me. It's actually kind of funny, because I'm sitting here in my computer class at school, and I was just thinking about what today is gonig to throw at me. This is my first year of high school, and I must say that it's been a really big transition for me. Not just with the new building or new friends, but spiritually. It's hard sometimes to think that denying certain things that people ask you to do will help you out in the long run. It's even harder to remember to speak up for what you believe in, and let your faith be known. But reading your post really made me realize that everything in these four years of high school is just short term, but all the decisions I make here are going to be long term ones. Thanks so much(:
    by dearest_violet at 10/22/08 9:47AM
  • starshine
    I understand completely this feeling. I have been hearing things like this about my high school classmates, too. Thank you for, once again, showing me someone else going through the same things in life.
    by starshine at 10/22/08 3:36PM
  • golden_star
    hey! amazing post as always,i appreciate your example, i prayed for you that you may have encouraged those people in some way,that something you say or do can turn them to God :)
    by golden_star at 10/22/08 4:45PM
  • surfgirl1129
    Hey! How are you? I hope you are well and I just wanted to check up on you! Love you lots!
    by surfgirl1129 at 11/07/08 10:21AM
  • create_a_way
    wonderful thoughts!
    by create_a_way at 11/18/08 2:05PM
  • dragonqueen95
    Wow. I am so sorry. I have never told you about how much of a positive influence you were in my life. Even though I was so much younger than you, you always took time to spend time with me and be the influence of God in my life. Sadly, I've been guilty of 'hanging out' with older people....which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I need to turn back and influence those behind me for good, not for worse. Thank you so much. I love you, Julianne. You've been like the big sister I never had.....the one that I desperately hope I can be. Again, thank you.
    by dragonqueen95 at 11/20/08 5:40PM
  • koolkat96
    hey jullian i miss you soo much hows FC????
    by koolkat96 at 11/29/08 9:49PM
  • koolkat96
    im doing great school is really fun i cant wait for when i get to go to FC (five more years!!!!!!) hope you have a great christmas
    by koolkat96 at 12/05/08 8:43AM