The Roads in the Wood

“All we have to do is decide what to do with the time  that is given to us ….” (Gandalf the Grey) Ah, if only that was as simple as it sounds. But how does one decide what to do with one’s life? How do you know what your purpose is, or what you love doing above all else? I have come to that difficult season in life where I have to choose a career. Yet it is so difficult for me to decide what I want to do for what could be the rest of my life. I want to do something that I love doing, but also something that impacts and helps others. But I have not found out what that something is yet.

We all eventually reach this stage in life. Some are fortunate enough to know exactly what they want to study and what career they want to pursue. Then there are those of us who have to strive and pray and pray, wondering and worrying about the future, hoping that there is a reason why we are this earth. Questions like “What is my role on this earth?”, “Why am I here?” and “What is it that God made me for?” stream through our minds and when they remain unanswered for so long, one can begin to feel a little lost and hopeless.

This post may seem just like ramblings of what is pressing on my mind. Yet I know that I am not the only one out there asking questions like mine. I want to encourage myself and you with the simple fact that God knows your future and that He is in control. There is a reason why He made you and He will reveal that reason in His own time. So as we continue to worry and seek and feel utterly frustrated, let us try to be patient: our time will come too.  

P.S Please vote on my poll! If you have any other suggestions, feel free to comment on this post.

Rain Fall Down

There is something so soothing and beautiful about rain falling from a cloudy sky. As I stare out my window, watching as the world before my eyes is being cleansed, I feel peace settling upon me from the inside out. And I feel happiness, as if I suddenly know that everything that is going wrong in my life will work out. Perhaps it is the cool air or the sound of rain as the drops splash gently against the window; Perhaps it is the knowledge that the tears of heaven are making the flowers and trees happy; Or maybe it is even how those small droplets can change scenery so drastically and beautifully that fills me with such serenity on a rainy day. 

The feel of rain on my bare skin gives me a child-like thrill of abandon and freedom.  God’s gift of water from the skies is not only for the plants, but it is also for me; it is a reminder of His everlasting goodness. Somehow, rain goes with all things creative. There’s nothing like writing, listening to classical music, doing art or reading good literature whilst there is a soft drizzle outside. And creativity is a core part of who am, so I love anything that inspires more of it into my soul. Rain is like peace coming straight out of the clouds of heaven, giving me a taste of God’s gloriousness.  I cherish each and every rare rainy day we have here, knowing that I will have to wait another while for my next day of soothing beauty. 

Yet Still I Will Praise Him

Sometimes life knocks us down and the last thing we feel like doing is rejoicing. We feel disappointed and drained, like we do not have the energy to carry on. In those moments when everything is going wrong, if we are completely honest, we do not want to praise God. When I am having a bad day or my life seems like one scary rollercoaster ride, I struggle to praise God; I struggle to find the words that describe what a wonderful God I serve. It is easy to worship God when you are happy and everything is going well. Yet in those moments of tribulation we need to worship Him the most, for He is still God.

Desert Song by Hillsong United has the lines: “All of my life/ In every season/ You are still God/ I have a reason to sing/ I have a reason to worship.” No matter what we are going through, He is still God; He is still worthy of our praise. Many things may change, but He remains the same. The beautiful thing about worship is that it takes our focus off ourselves and our hardships and onto the Creator of the Universe. It also helps us realise that God is still in control; that He is bigger than our problems and will bring us through them. Just because we are frustrated and in pain does not mean that God is no longer deserving of our adoration. When we win, we must praise Him and when we lose, still we must praise Him. Whatever you are going through, whatever season of your life you are in, He is Sovereign. Yet still should we praise Him.

Some Changes

Hi Everyone,
I am so sorry I haven't been posting regularly; I have been very busy with work.  Since I finished school last year, I have taken a gap year this year and am currently working so I can buy my ticket to Europe. But I will attempt to post every Saturday like I used to and will try to read your blog posts as much as I can. Please don't think that I am neglecting you all!

Anyway, so there are a few changes to my blog. First of all, I have a wonderful new header thanks to Britt at Encouragement for Daily Struggles. Thanks so much Britt, I love it! :) Second, I have updated my About, Quotes and Bucket List pages if you would like to check them out. You also may have noticed that I have been tweeking my blog design here and there. What do you think of it at the moment? Any suggestions or advice on how to better it? I really dislike my blog design at my other blog Scribblings of a Dreamer, but don't worry I will soon change it and am thinking of adding a header to it, though I'm not really sure how to make one. I also have a new profile picture; hope you like it. Let me know what you think about these small changes! :)

~Jess Leigh

Learning To Be Selfless

If only I could remember that life is not about me, my wants and my will. If only I could look past myself at all times and think more of others. The human nature is so selfish. If we were to be completely honest we would admit that we are all naturally self-centred. Every unkind thing we have said, every time we have lost our tempers, got upset when things did not go our way; every wrong and thoughtless thing we have ever done is an act of selfishness.

Something I feel God is challenging me to do lately is to put Him and others first; to realise that I was not placed on this earth to live for myself. Oh, how I have failed this time and time again. Some days I set out with this strongly in mind: “life is not about me, put God and other people before yourself”, only for it to fade from my mind later on. As we get caught up in the busyness and troubles of our lives, we forget why we are here; we struggle to see past ourselves to those around us. So I challenge you, along with myself, to notice those around you who may be in need, to think before you say something that is actually insensitive, to not always let your day revolve around your own agenda. I challenge you to forget yourself and remember others and, in so doing, putting other people’s needs before your own. This is the challenge of learning to be selfless.

Lights of Impact

This world is an evil, hateful, lost place in dire need of goodness, love and hope. Our calling as believers in Christ is to make a difference on the earth and to shine like stars in the darkness. We were not meant to live ordinary, comfortable lives. Christians have sat in their comfort zones for long enough. It is time for the Church to arise and ignite a flame that could change those around us forever. There is supposed to be a distinct difference between believers and non-believers, but so many have been swept into the tide of this world. Life is too short to be wasted on things that do not last; things that, in the greater scheme of things, do not really matter. We were made to live a life completely sold out to Jesus; a life spent following His Will and striving daily to bring Him glory.

I challenge you today to not follow the crowd and try to “fit” in, but to make a difference while you can. God has gifted each one of us with different abilities and callings; we need to use them to impact those around us at school, University/College, work and in our social lives. God needs to be infused in every part of our daily lives. We cannot sit by while the world dies. I know that the problems of this world are so large that they can be exceptionally overwhelming. But that does nott mean that we do nothing to help others in need, to love those who we do not like, to serve selflessly and to give hope to the desperate. I will admit I fail in these things every day. But I am realising how important it is to live a godly life of integrity- a life that lives wholly for God- even though it may set us apart from the “in” crowd. Our time on earth was meant to be extraordinary. Each of us has a choice how we will spend our years. You have only one life to live, will you use it to love others or to work for your own gain? You may think that you are too small to make a difference; just one tiny drop of rain. But together, drops of rain can turn into a river. By yourself you may only be a tiny pinprick of light in the stark darkness, but together we shine like a city on a hill, visible for all those around us to see. 

27 Million Voices

Picture drawn by Jess Leigh

Yesterday was National Human Trafficking Day. So I thought I would post this poem I wrote during the week to create awareness on modern-day slavery.

For the 27 million people held in slavery all over the world

Their cries resound all over the earth;

Cries of suffering, cries of hopelessness.

Yet few really hear them, nor are there many left to care.

They are like a vanishing wind;

Whispers of their fate are heard, yet they are left unseen.

They are bound like broods of animals,

Living a life they did not choose;

A life stolen by another.

They are forced to go where they do not want to go,

They are forced to do what they wish not to do.

Their time on earth is a living hell,

Imposed and controlled by heartless ones.

There is no escape, there is no freedom;

They are chained to their unwanted fate

While their souls cry out in agony.

Can you hear them?

Their silent cries are echoing

Against every corner of the earth,

Pleading to be set free

While sinister fingers grip them mercilessly.

Some heed the call and head into battle,

Striving to save the captive ones.

Others turn a deaf ear, a blind eye

And their hearts turn to stone,

While 27 million voices continue to scream in silence.