“LORD, I know you can do everything. You make plans, and nothing can change or stop your plans.” -Job 42:2
God is love. Sometimes it’s hard to just stop and soak it all in. How majestic our Father is…how beautifully perfect His creation is—made just for our pleasure.
I think today has been the hardest because I’ve started to realize there’s more to this opportunity than what I want to achieve. The King has this whole mission already planned, and has opened so many doors in front of my blind face. I want to love on the kids. HE wants me to reach out and do more.
Driving out around Fort Worth I think God was reminding me that there are more than just the children at Fortress who need His light shone into their lives. Lining the streets are numerous lost and scared people who could benefit from simply knowing that He is in control and loves each and every one of them. All the struggles and fears we face are just moments, passing aimlessly through what feels like eternity on this planet. HE is in control. The Lord our God, the King, the Father has it all planned out for us…so no worries, my friends. He’s got our backs— BUT we must remember to place that confidence into His open arms.
What I haven’t realized until this point is I am surrounded by amazing examples. I have so many wonderful friends here at Fortress, in my youth group, at the house; all of them show me every day what it is like to be a real-life believer. These kids are so wonderful and close to our God. They inspire me to fight for my beliefs and try to succeed in becoming a true “Jesus Freak.” Inside and out; all the way.
- Christy Blevins
“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness.”
-Psalm 100:1-2
SHOUT FOR JOY TO THE LORD. I feel like I don’t ever choose to just rejoice the King of Kings. I never just thank Him that I was created “…on purpose, for a purpose.” as said by Ramon in our group devotional.
It’s different here. These people, who have so little, can sit and enjoy the sunlight while praising the LORD for blessing them with a new day, while I complain about my toe-nail polish chipping during the night.
Listening to some of these children compare the number of bullet scars left in their houses and how long one or both of their parents have spent time in jail really opened my eyes to how real all of this is. How frighteningly real their lives are. Day in and day out they, only children, sit listening to sirens and gunshots while I worry with petty, insignificant things that I consider to be necessities.
Food is a necessity. Shelter is a necessity. Love is a necessity. I expect these things; they are lucky to hope for these things—and still… still all of the people I’ve talked to in just one day are so happy. They are so helpful, respectful, encouraging. They love the LORD. They shout for joy to the Father. They are truly thankful. I can learn a lot this week. We need to learn a lot from these examples. It’s a necessity.
-Christy Blevins
My name is Christy Blevins. I’m sixteen years old…well, seventeen in a month. I was born and raised fifteen long hours from Fort Worth in Knoxville, Tennessee.
I love children and aspire to one day teach and minister to those who don’t have access to free education. Missions – well, ministry- is my passion. I’ve traveled near and far trying to do what I can to make a difference, but I think this mission is one of the toughest because this feels real. It’s scary and this can happen to me—to anyone. I never really thought about how good life is for me.
I have a feeling that this week will change my outlook, and emotionally and spiritually test everyone while re-enforcing everything we have learned in our walk with the Father. Like a fire, the Lord and his good love is growing stronger by the minute in my heart. There is nothing that will stop this girl. I’m on a mission.