GREEN-LIGHT revolution

I'm a self-proclaimed nerd and I love doing finances. I actually have a degree in Math Education, but I ended up doing accounting for Jubilee Church instead. Those are pretty similar right? One of my favorite things to do at work is reconcile bank and credit card statements. Seriously, I'll get one in the mail and I'll start cheering. My coworkers can attest to this. I think the reason I love it so much is that it gives me a way to check my work every month to make sure I'm on the right track. If I've forgotten to enter a transaction or if I've made a mistake in some way, this process is going to find it. I love it how when everything matches up, at the bottom of the screen it shows a balance of zero. It's like getting to start each month with a clean slate.

I was thinking about how this is similar to being in a relationship with God. When I started following Jesus and gave my life to Him, all my sins (past, present, and future) were wiped clean and I was made new (2 Corinthians 5:17). Blank slate. However, even though God sees me as blameless and pure, I still sometimes sin. I find that when I neglect spending time with Jesus, different areas of my life start going off track. I get snippy with my roommates, I become selfish with my time, I have bad attitudes...it's just not good. But when I stay connected with God, spending time with Him in worship, reading my Bible, praying, being involved in my church community, I find that those mistakes I'm making and bad attitudes I have are revealed and I'm “reconciled” once again to where I'm supposed to be. Staying connected with God and making time for Him is something I really struggle with and an area I’m constantly being challenged in, so I feel that in writing this I'm challenging myself just as much, if not more, as I'm challenging you.

Jesus, help me to make you a priority in my life. Give me the desire every day to seek you and know you deeper. I want to be more and more like you so that I can be a witness of your goodness and grace to those around me. Thank you, God, for reconciling me and making me new when I didn't deserve it. I am so thankful for your unending love.

Going green,
Renee

Hi ladies! My name is Renee Scott, I'm 25, living in Saint Louis, and SINGLE! I work for Jubilee Church as their financial manager and Newfrontiers USA as their conference coordinator. Although I can now call Saint Louis home, I haven't always lived in the big city. I'm originally from a small town in Nebraska, so this is a bit of a change for me. I moved to Saint Louis three years ago when I was placed here for Frontier Year Team, not knowing fully what I had gotten myself into. I was convinced it would be a year long placement and then I would move on, but God had very different plans for me (you can watch more of my story here...).

This year I have learned the art of patience! Ok, actually I'm still learning, but God has taught me a lot about waiting for his timing and trusting wise counsel. Earlier this year I had a guy pursuing me and I thought, “I love Jesus, he loves Jesus, we get along great, let's do this!” When we were getting to know each other we had some warnings along the way from our mentors saying “Maybe this isn't the right time...” but we continued on anyway. Finally, the elders stepped in and told us flat out “We think you need to wait, this isn't the right time.” At that time I felt like it was easy to take their advice. I did feel a bit out of control in the relationship and I knew that we could do things better if we waited, so I agreed.

3 months later...
The same guy started to pursue me again. We sought advice, we prayed, we set boundaries, everything seemed to be going well! Then the elders stepped in again and said “We think you need to wait, we don't think this is the right time, but ultimately, it's up to you.” WHAT!? I didn't respond as well this time around. I had waited, I had put in my time, I had done everything right, why can't I just be happy!? After about a day I started to calm down and started to pray. I was reminded of this verse that says,

“We have a young sister...What shall we do for our sister for the day she is spoken for? If she is a wall, we will build towers of silver on her. If she is a door, we will enclose her with panels of cedar” Song of Songs 8:8-9 NIV

I realized that they weren't trying to be a killjoy, they were trying to protect me. Looking back through different experiences, I have found that following the counsel of my elders, mentors, people around me who love me, is a crucial thing and can bring freedom to my life. They know me best and they want to see me succeed. Plus, they can see things from the outside that I may not be able to see in the moment. So, in the end, I followed their advice to wait and be patient and I know that was the best decision I could have made.

“The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.” Proverbs 13:14 NIV

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22 NIV

Going green,
Renee

Hello, dear readers!

I'm excited to let you know that this space will soon be a happening spot again! On Monday, our new blogging schedule begins and we'll have fresh posts for you to read. On the right, you can see the lineup of bloggers for 2011/12, and let me tell you--they are a fun, passionate, Jesus-loving bunch of ladies! Be sure to join our Facebook group, too, and stay up-to-date on all things GREEN-LIGHT. Have a great weekend, and I'll see you Monday!

Going Green!

Lynn Fleshman