Controlled by Love

Hola amigos!
It's summertime and in three short weeks I'll be headed to...COSTA RICA!!!
Wow.
I am earnestly striving to be productive and find ways to serve others in these three weeks. With productivity in mind, I decided to add writing on a blog to the list of things I want to accomplish before heading south of the border. I plan on keeping up with this blog while in Costa Rica and thought that if I started the habit of writing on it now, that habit will be easier to continue while abroad.
We'll see. ;)


I'm not very good about sharing what I'm learning or what I'm writing with others. I write frequently and it is beneficial for myself. However, it does little service to others by staying locked away in a journal. I'm rather timid about it. So, before leaving for Costa Rica and writing about my experiences there, I've decided that I will start posting various writings. They are by no means fine-tuned or edited to perfection (I'm a horrible editor). Yet if it is of service or helpful to any of you then I will be glad for posting them. Comments and suggestions for improvement are ALWAYS wonderful! May this little blog be a blessing to each of you. It is my desire to glorify God through it.


"Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." - 1 Peter 4:11


My blog's title is...Pura Vida!
Why?
Pura Vida is a common saying in Costa Rica (shout-out to Daniel Mateo for first teaching me this). According to the highly reliable source that is wikipedia, "Pura Vida" means -


"Pura vida literally means Pura = pure and vida = life, but "Pure life" in Spanish would be "Vida pura" instead, so the real meaning is closer to "plenty of life", "full of life", "this is living!", "going great", "real living", or "cool!"^[1] It can be used both as a greeting and a farewell, to express satisfaction, to politely express indifference when describing something ^[1] or even to say "thank you". The phrase has become widely known; this highly flexible statement has been used by many Costa Ricans (and expatriates) since 1956.^[2] Some foreigners view the phrase as an expression of a leisurely lifestyle, of disregard for time, and of wanton friendliness. However, Costa Ricans use the phrase to express a philosophy of strong community, perseverance, resilience in overcoming difficulties with good spirits, enjoying life slowly, and celebrating good fortune of magnitudes small and large alike."


This is the kind of life I am striving to live. A life that is pure. A life that is enjoyed slowly. A life showing resilience in overcoming difficulties with good spirits. A life of celebration. Pura Vida sounds very similar to the abundant life that we have in Christ.


"I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly." - John 10:7


My life is abundant because of the One who guides my path. It is an incredibly joyous act, to live a life with Christ. It is at times difficult, at times easy, and always incredibly joyful to live with the peace which surpasses all understanding. I thank my God that I might not live for self, but live for Him.


"For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf." - 2 Cor. 5:14-15 


Christ died for all. And because of His great sacrifice, the love that He showed controls us. Living for self is no longer possible. We must live for Him. We are, after all, "new creatures" in Christ. 


"Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all."


How are you living for Christ? Are you controlled by His love? Am I?
Just a few little thoughts for this lovely Monday night.
Have a blessed one friends.
And, of course, Pura vida!