Christmas eve eve

It doesn't feel like Christmas is only two days away. Maybe it's because we're in the middle of moving to a new house, or because i'm sick, or because there's not 3 feet of snow outside. Or maybe it's because, as Americans, we have such a ridiculously distorted idea of what Christmas is supposed to be. And as Christians, we're totally okay with that. We have 100% bought into the holiday hype of shopping and buying and decorating and stressing that nobody cares that our nation is falling apart religiously. It's not just during the winter, either.

I couldn't count on twelve hands the number of times i've heard people complain about Christianity/religion/church/the world. It's seems like everyone I talk to has one opinion or another on how things should be different. You know what I could count on one hand, though? The number of times i've heard people say that they were going to do something about it. That makes me sick and frustrated and disappointed. I feel like, if people would spend as much time thinking of a solution to a problem as they do talking about the problem, this world would be such a better place. If you don't like that there are no people your age at church: invite some of your friends. If you hate that you are partying and making bad decisions every weekend: STOP going to parties! If you think the government is screwing you over: write a letter to the freaking white house!!! But stop sitting on your butt thinking that complaining is going to solve all of your problems. Constant negativity does NOT make you feel better, and it doesn't fix things. You know how they say actions speak louder than words? I don't really know who 'they' are but, in most cases, they are totally right. So as you are writing your new years' resolutions, I challenge you to make one that matters. Make a resolution that is going to better not only yourself, but the world around you. If you have a problem, solve it. Be the change you want to see.

Starting Friday, I'm taking part in a challenge labeled Seven Days of Prayer. From Christmas to New Years Day, I will be MIA from all social networking sites: facebook, myspace, twitter, etc. The idea behind SDOP was a vision of challenging 500 college age students to take a week hiatus from social networking and spend more time with God. The group is currently at over 2,800 members and I believe it will continue to grow. It's going to be hard. One entire week without checking facebook or updating twitter? That's a long time. 168 hours, to be exact. But you know what? Life is hard. Being a young adult in 2009 is hard. And, honestly, being a christian is no walk in a field of flowers. Satan is attacking every part of our country. Young, old, strong, weak, happy, sad, whatever. He's there. But he's sneaky. He pretends to be your friend and he sweet talks you into doing things that you know you shouldn't. So this challenge, to me, is about more than taking a break from facebook. It's about making a difference. It's about growing spiritually and mentally and emotionally. It's about giving the devil a roundhouse kick to the face because i'm stronger than him. We are stronger than him. God is stronger than him.

I know that this post is a little ADD, but that's pretty much how my life is. If you found part of it harsh or offensive, I don't apologize. If you are offended by what I said: do something about it. I'm not going to sugar coat how I feel just so that you don't feel guilty about being a lazy christian. And if you feel up to it, I challenge you to join me, and thousands of others, in Seven Days of Prayer. Whenever you would normally check your facebook: pray. Every time you feel the urge to tweet: pray. Myspace message? Pray. I can only imagine how many amazing things are going to happen with so much prayer being sent up to the big man.

The generation that will change the world will be the generation that the world can't change.

I'm praying for all of you this holiday season. I'm praying that we get back to the true meaning of Christmas. I'm praying that you look in your heart and decide to be the change you want to see. You can do it. We can do it. Let's change the world, friends. =)


peaceandlove<3