Last Day?

Over the last week I have seen God in so many amazing ways. I was able to meet many people with great stories, was present as the quietest kid in the room stepped up to speak, and witnessed three people rededicate their lives to Christ. All in one week in San Francisco for the Jr. High Mission trip.
   One thing I must say-- it was harder to stay commited to the media fast on this trip. In SF, the amount of secular media is overwhelming, even from my own group. I just so happened to be the only one in the car on the media fast at one point, and it took strength to stand up and say I couldn't listen to what they wanted to listen to on the radio. But I'm so glad I did, and I'm glad I wasn't the only one of my friends who was doing this.
   Before I started this fast and even while I was doing it, I didn't catch the whole point of it. I thought all I had to do was avoid secular media and I'd be good. Until one Sunday morning in church, when I was singing along with Pastor Jasen in worship. He started a song I had heard a million times, but I had never really thought about before:
   "Oh, I'm running to your arms, I'm running to your arms, the riches of your love will always be enough. Nothing compares to your embrace, light of the world, forever reign."
   Before I even knew what was happening, tears were streaming down my face, no matter how hard I tried to stop them. A whole new meaning to the song arose inside me as I lifted my arms and closed my eyes in surrender. A thousand thoughts burned through my mind at once:
   I don't need to thirst for the applause of others. I shouldn't strive to please my peers or the people around me, as I had been doing. The only thing that matters is God, and He's the only one that can and will love me and has loved me eternally, extremely, with no limitations or boundaries. He has given me life, so I will use this life to honor God, which is the least I could ever do.
   At that moment while Pastor Jasen was singing, I ran into God's arms, and He covered me in His love. It's one moment I'm going to remember for the rest of my life.
   Thank you, everyone who has been here for me. Thank you Matt for giving me the opportunity to participate in this amazing fast. It's been a wonderful experience, and I'm not going to stop fasting just because the month is over and everyone says I can go back to secular. I can't wait for next year. :)

                                                                                                       ~Luke 9:23~