Diving In

The other day I took my first jump into the pool. The night was late, I was with a bunch of friends, and neither the air or water was warm. Needless to say, the first few seconds were pretty miserable. But, we had some fun splashing fights, made good memories, and simply had an awesome time. It was worth it. Aren't many things worth diving in? If you're anything like me, you procrastinate, worry, spend sleepless nights freaking out over days that are to come, etc. These are parts of my character that I constantly battle as they go against Christ's will for me. This weekend I'll be playing at a music festival. It's small and I shouldn't be so worried about it, but you may as well know that I'm scared to death. I was going off and on whether or not I should sign up for it..."What if I blow it?" "There'll be people that will be way better than me." and on and on I went. I vented onto one of my friends. He was quiet until he looked at me and said, "Now how are you going to feel when it's the day the festival comes, and you aren't doing anything? When you're sitting at home, doing nothing, all because you were afraid. How's that going to be?" I felt a bit ashamed, kind of like a cowardice, and called the secretary that day. I was diving in. So, I might make a fool of myself this weekend. I'm going to have to wing it...not because I didn't practice enough but because I want perfection, and by myself, I will never reach that. But I believe I can do my best. 
You know what else I'm going to dive into? I'm going to dive into being kind. Lots of people bug me. Lots of people drive me crazy. And I'm going to be nice to them. Not be a hypocrite. But actually be nice. From the inside to the outside. It's gonna be hard. It's gonna be good. 
I'm also going to dive into working hard. When I'd rather be chilling, writing a post on my blog, watching a show, listening to some old Jack Johnson records, I'm going to do whatever it is I need to do...whether that be mowing the lawn, talking to someone that needs some help, or just sitting next to my dad. Cause sometimes, you really need someone to sit by you. I'm going to dive into being that person.
I'm also going to dive into prayer. I'm going to dive into the love letter Jesus wrote me. I think it's about time I've read that thing from top to bottom. I'm going to dive into Christ...I'm never going to regret that. I'll blow it at times, just like everything else. But again, I'm not going to regret this life. 


I'm going to dive right in.

Beginnings...

We kick off the new year as a beginning, we give those in need a new beginning, we call every new day a new beginning. Well, my question for you is what God's been questioning me lately: where is my beginning? Where is my foundation? Where do my roots begin? As soon as those thoughts came in my head, also did some verses from Psalms 1. (I listed them below.)

  ¹ Blessed is the one
   who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
   or sit in the company of mockers,
² but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
   and who meditates on his law day and night.
³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
   which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
   whatever they do prospers. 

The main phrase that caught my attention was how David compared a person of the Lord to a tree. I don't know much about trees, but I know they all start somewhere. They embark from the same spot, that is, at the roots. So where are your roots today? Your cause, motivation, your heart?

It's just some thoughts to ponder, but please, ponder with detailed attention. Your heart is your core.