WWJD.

It’s the 90’s and every mainstream Christian teenager is wearing a cotton threading wristband with the glaring letters “WWJD”, aka “What would Jesus do?”.

Now, fast forward, it’s 2014 and these teenagers are now young adults working, studying tertiary education or even started families themselves. For them, what does WWJD mean now?

I was recently nudged during a message at church on following Jesus on Sunday night.

I knew being a Christian was about following Jesus, but did I truly understand what Jesus did and said?

A few fun facts:

·      Jesus was born in a small town, Bethlehem (Luke 2 verses 4-7) denying himself of his divinity and becoming a child born to the virgin Mary

·      Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, by going to the synagogue and studying the scriptures (Luke 2 verse 52)

·      Jesus didn’t begin his ministry til he was about thirty years old (Luke 3 verse 23)

·      Jesus died around the age of thirty-three years old (Matthew 3 verse 13 talks about the baptism to enter into the Melchizedek priesthood and his ministry continued for around three and a half years)

So… What happened to 90% of the rest of his life?

Could it be…  that the only way Jesus was able to do what he did was through patience and character building in the hidden years and moments. So then.. when we as believers, and disciples, are told in Matthew 16 verse 24-26 “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it”, we are actually called to do the same. To take our daily selfish desires and live out a calling that is not always the most glamorous or popular, but is the way that Jesus would have done it.

I could potentially finish this article here, but really I wouldn’t be helping anyone – including myself. To be completely honest, none of us are sinless and have it altogether (definitely speaking for myself here) as “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3 verse 23), but we can choose to get up each morning and ensure that his mercies which are “new every morning” (Lamentations 3 verse 23) in our lives.

This could mean:

·      Choosing to serve instead of being served.

·      Choosing to be consistent in the mundane unseen tasks.

·      Choosing to listen instead of speaking (Learning this one daily!)

·      Choosing to be humbled, instead of being proud

·      Choosing to love all, instead of only loving those that “deserve your love”

Personally, these are all areas I have dealt with recently and know there are many more situations, which could be added here, but at the heart of it – what does it mean to follow Jesus and do what he did?

For me, it means to live my life through the help of the holy spirit and to remain in him as it says in John 15 verse 5 (NIV), Jesus is speaking and says “I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Vietnam.

Sitting in a cab from Hanoi domestic airport to the local hotel in DeNang

Every city is romanticised  - from New York (.. the shady streets that don't remind me of "Honey") to Hong Kong (.. the smog covered, overcrowded city packed into trains and buses in peak hour) to London (.. in the middle of winter where people are the highest percentage of depression in youths across the world)

... to even Vietnam (.. whilst there are rice fields with beautiful lush grass, there are also brown lagoons of water filled with Mosquitos.. A far cry from award winning Miss Saigon)

The idea behind this post isn't aimed at shutting down every city across the world (ddefinitelynot, I love to travel as you can tell) but about highlighting that most of life is made in mundane.

So what for you is made in the mundane? (Done well, that you can see beauty in it)

Could it be love, passion, dreams... Or simply an attitude?

How often have we come across a day that just seems like every another? What would change if you had a diagnosis tomorrow that you only had 3 months to live? What would change if you knew you couldn't fail?

As a generation, we are have the opportunity to take what the generations have already done ahead of us and to sit on their shoulders to chase a life of even more.
..So why then are so many of us, fearful of  is it that's stopping us?

1. Are we too fixated on the past, our failures or fears, and circumstance to give ourselves the opportunity to dream bigger?

2. Are we too busy in the present trying to do everything for everyone else and juggling half a dozen commitments that you don't even have time to look up to what your apart of in this generation?

3. Are we so focused on the future and where we'd love to be someday with someone that we never actually celebrate the victories of today, because it is never enough?

Ironically, I've laid out the past, present and future so at some point in your day, or week - We'd all find ourselves in one of the buckets. 

So what's the solution?

For me, it's all out knowing who holds time in his hands, the God of all, and balance. It's about choosing to stay in the moment daily, whilst setting time aside intentionally for my own personal growth and having strategy in place to track my progress along the way. 

Easy? Not at all.

Worth it? Totally.

Much love, 

Meenal xx

London.

In the midst of traffic, people, peak hour tube rush and harrod luxury so starkly contrasted with the depth of homelessness... Lord, You are above all.

In Psalms 27:4-5 (MSG), David puts it like this "I’m asking GOD for one thing, only one thing: To live with him in his house my whole life long. I’ll contemplate his beauty; I’ll study at his feet. That’s the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world, The perfect getaway, far from the buzz of traffic."

I couldn't have put it better myself. 

No matter how far or high one goes, there's gotta be a moment - that simple profound moment - where nothing else but gazing upon God's grace, mercy and love is enough. 

Nothing more, nothing less. 

Much love,

MC xx

The Best is yet to come.

Cliche as it sounds - I truly believe it. 

2013 - Was my year of going back to basics with my loves; whether it be getting deeper into the word of God, figuring out that I love writing, restoring moments where I had to learn what true rest meant and valuing the most things in life - My family & friends. 

Last year was a whirlwind in every sense, starting from ringing in the new year inside the Empire State building in NYC with some amazing friends and kicking off a new role in a dream environment that I can honestly only put to the grace of God to be in. This soon led to an incredible 24th birthday that was almost a week long (now forever known as birthday week!) and closing out with finding my true romantic heart with a special someone.

Despite the challenges, tears, weaknesses and long nights - it was a year where I got to chase everything God had in store like never before and don't for a minute regret any of it!

With each new year, I take some time out to evaluate my goals, dreams and visions - both past, present and for what's to come.e Afterall, a new year is a blank slate of endless possibilities (funny how a countdown with fireworks can do wonders with one's perspective!)

Although I don't really believe in new year resolutions - given their fluidity and lack of purpose - I do strongly encourage myself (and you) to set (and write down!) clear, measurable and realistic (unless their a crazy vision which I am never one to knock down but forever cheer on with God's strength) short and long term goals.

I was reading an article recently about making resolutions last and something almost profound stood out and I had to share, based on Dallas Willard's personal transformation logic. 

Make sure your resolution has:
1. Vision - Where do you see yourself on the first of Jan 2015? How do you want to spend this year and what is desired end state?
2. Intention - What your true desire that will push you to get there? Something I have always said is ask yourself why you started? I honestly believe this has got the power to unlock some of the greatest inventions, businesses and dreams!
3. Means - What tools do you need to get this done? Is it the practical items like new running shoes so you're making your way to a fitter body in the most safest way possible, or is being able to network like never before so that you can learn what you need to in the best way possible (through other people's mistakes and wins).
For further reading - http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/4-ways-make-your-new-year%E2%80%99s-resolutions-count

Overall, I feel like a expectant mum ready to tackle this year - but if nothing else, do write down where you see yourself 1 year from now. If you're anything like me - once you start writing, you may even surprise yourself at your audacity to believe that this could be your best year ever!

Bring on 2014! Happy new year! 

"His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord" Psalm 112:7

Much love,
Meenal xx