So last night at church we watched a video by motivational speaker named Louie Giglio. He is a speaker at Passion City Church in Atlanta and Founder of Passion Movement. The Passion Conference is a conference for college aged students to experience an awakening experience with God.
The video we watched last night was called "Fruitcake And Ice Cream". Fruitcake and Ice Cream: An Unlikely Collision of Friendship and Grace is the message heard by students around the world on the seventeen-city Passion World Tour. Sometimes the best things in life are those we're not even sure we're looking for at the time, but those we realize we can't live without in the end. That's the story of Ashley, a somewhat typical college senior--loving life, partying hard and trying to balance it all with success in the classroom. Disengaged from God and turned off by most Christians she knew, unexpected events turned Ashley's world upside down and brought a new roommate for her final semester at the University of Florida. Unpolished, and marked by unscripted authenticity, Ashley's personal journal entries provide the backdrop for Fruitcake and Ice Cream, a message that breathes hope for the spiritually searching while providing a massive kick-start for those within the Church who carry the unrivaled story of God's grace and truth in a darkened world.
By the middle of the story of this girl Ashley's life I sudden realized that was me, that was my story in a way. Basically this Girl is in a very unhealthy relationship with a guy that she just cant bring herself to turn away from because she cares so much. She finally realizes that God can and does except anyone no matter their sin or circumstance. Basically within a matter of weeks this girl gives her life over to God. Without ruining the story she only gets so far her walk with Christ before she gets in a car accident and passes away. By this time point I am completely heart broken as this girls story. 1. Because of God's Grace. It blows me away at how much grace we really do have in life and not a one of us is worthy of it all. 2. Because that is one of many times i have heard of someone coming to Christ and passing away shortly after. That is AMAZING and if anything shows how real God is and how much He loves us and that even if it takes our whole life here on earth he is constantly fighting for us to come to Him. 3. And the biggest thing that got to me was knowing my own story and how i could relate.
In May of 2005 I got in a horrible car accident 2 different times that I should of never lived to tell the story, But Gods protection was visibly over my life. Thinking of this story of Ashley and my own story it broke my heart because I too could of be takin from this life but God chose to keep me here. Our God is a gentleman, he does not force himself on us, he reviles himself and waits for us to come to Him. The night after the 2nd car accident was the night I gave up life to my worldly ways and gave my life over to God. I didn't deserve to make it out of those 2 or multiple other incidents i've experienced in my life. God had other plans for me and was protecting me because He knew i would soon be turning to Him. My life has never been the same since. I ask myself now, am i living my life fully? Am I allowing God to use me to my full potential? Am i sharing the love God clearly has for me by saving my life multiple times to those around me?
This story awakens my heart to how much God really does love and care about me/us. I could of lost my life many, many times between Jan 2004 and July of 2005 but i am still here today, serving God with all I have and always wishing I could give Him more myself and my life.
We take life for granted. We never know when our time is going to come and our life here on earth will be over. May we stop today and just praise God for our life and time here on earth because we are not promised tomorrow. I love my life so much and even though its not always easy I know with all my heart that im not doing it alone. And where the "Fruitcake" comes in? Basically this girl was referred to as fruitcake because she was a Christian. Sometimes i wonder how many people may think i'm odd or a "Fruitcake" because of my religious ways. But just like this story i'm willing to do whatever it takes to expose God to those around me even if it takes years for someone to see how real God is, it may be your life that makes them want something they may not have, Jesus Christ. So as we go about this day/week/month/year may we continue to show the love of christ in all that we do.
You show me your redeemed life and I might be inclined to believe in your redeemer.
--Heine
--Heine
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