Jesus Journal: A Brand New Day

Well, the last post was a pretty raw portrait of the struggling and confused girl I was in high school.  I think its well past time to share with you another entry, from just one year later.

July 26, 1997

Well, needless to say, a lot has happened this year.  During last summer I basically "broke up" with 2 friends.  There was always the occasional hello and short conversation - but nothing beyond that.  What I am sorry about though, is that I've let 2 other friendships fail, too.  I hope that this - my senior year - I will take advantage of my last chance to grow closer to my classmates.  I am praying that God would give me the courage to LIVE THE LIFE.  I am praying that God would help me to see past what I look like, or what others think - to my true worth in His eyes.  I am so thankful that God gave me Amy.  She was a light in the darkness, and I pray that as people look at our friendship they will see what brings us so close.  I also pray that God would take boys off my mind.  Who cares if I go to Homecoming or not??  I don't.  Not anymore.  In my last entry I talked about finding myself.  Well. . . I did.  I found myself in Jesus - and what a wonderful way to live.  =)

Do you see the miracle here?  In about 18 short months I went from ripping on others to elevate myself, to praying I'd be able to see myself solely through God's eyes.

God changed my heart and my mind sometime between February of 1996 and July of 1997.  He gave me a clean slate; a brand new start.

I didn't use sheer force of will or positive thinking to change the girl I was.  I had an encounter with the man who gave up everything and hung on a tree for me.  I met Jesus in a way I had never known Him before.  He changed me from the inside out.  He gave me a new purpose for living.  He helped me see the people in my life as precious in His sight. 


I was happier, too, you know.  Can you sense that?

Some of you aren't here yet, and you're afraid to surrender everything to Christ because of what you might have to give up or lose.   You know that it might mean "breaking up" with some of your friends while you learn what walking with Jesus really looks like. 

I can make you one guarentee, no matter what you're clinging to:  Jesus is better.

He is better than friends, boys, stuff, family, beauty, status, money, and popularity.  He is better than anything else you'll ever find.  He will fill you with more purpose, joy, hope, peace, courage and confidence than you ever thought you'd possess.

Jesus is better.  And if you've ever questioned that truth, take a minute to reread my last post.  Look at the girl I was on my own, and the girl I became with Jesus at my core.

Which girl do you think was filled with more joy?  more courage?  more confidence?  more love?

Not only that, but giving up certain friendships that were drawing me away from God didn't result in loneliness and friendlessness.  It resulted in the formation of one of the greatest friendships I've ever known! 

This journal entry marks the beginning of my real walk with Jesus.  It was a brand new start for a girl made new by the power and love of God.

No matter where you are and no matter what you've done, God's love and power is enough to create a brand new start for you, too. 

I'm living proof,

Jesus is better.