Abound in Love
It is crazy to think that two weeks ago I was hanging out in LA with some great friends of mine, and one week from today, I will be sightseeing in England! So far, my last semester of college has been a pretty good one!I had a fantastic time in LA a few weeks ago. One aspect of the trip that I really enjoyed was getting to see the family I lived with while I was out there last summer. Getting to live with Justin and Sarah was a huge blessing because they are such great examples what it means to love people like God loves people. It was so special to get to spend some time with them and Courtney (another friend from the church). In the few hours I had to catch up with all of them, I was reminded once again how vitally important people are.That may seem like a stupid comment, but in this age, it is easy to get caught up in the social-media world and miss actually getting to know people in a real way. Spending time with these friends a few weeks ago meant the world to me, and I can't wait to have the opportunity to spend some time with them sometime in the future! (Until then, I suppose the world of social-media will have to do...)I think the aspect of my upcoming trip to England that I'm looking forward to the most is getting to spend time with the people in the church and build relationships. I don't know that I have ever understood the importance of building relationships with people as much as I have come to realize in the last few weeks.I recently read through 1 Thessalonians, and I was amazed at how many times they are instructed to love and encourage one another. Not that encouraging others is a new idea, but it is one that is easy to forget in a culture that is so egotistical. I have made it my goal for the next few months to truly focus on making new friends, building old friendships, encouraging others, and abounding in love for everyone."...and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all...so that he may establish your hears blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints." 1 Thes. 3:12-13