a new man

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

"But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Galatians 6:14

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

The past few months have been like a new life for me. I understand these verses a little more everyday, but also wonder how honest Paul was when he wrote these verses. Did he really boast in NOTHING else except the cross of Christ? Did he live completely in his faith? I know my faith is definitely not there- I hope through His word that one day it will be.

I feel parts of my adhesions to the world peeling away, but other parts are just as sticky as ever. We shared in small group about our priorities, and it just hit me how much I still yearn for people's acceptance. I feel like it has been a thorn in my side forever, a desire that I hope God will just pluck away.

Medical School, thankfully, has not been a thorn in my side. I am thankful that God has allowed my life to be more than just studying. Last year, especially the first few months, life was just studying with breaks for food, sleep and church. But this year life has felt like church with breaks for food, sleep and school. I'm truly thankful for that. I hope that I can continue growing, and see every part of my life change.

The most important things I've learned so far these last few months have been from studying His Word: God loves justice and hates injustice; God yearns for us to worship in Spirit and Truth; the Word as just knowledge is useless, it has to work and fester in our heart with the Holy Spirit; and finally, God has been teaching me that His healing is way more powerful than the healing I'm learning about in Medical School.