Seeking & Serving

So, I realize I have basically disappeared from blogging for several months. I have been completing my full-time placement and summer assignments to finish my post-grad schooling - and I finally finished it a month ago.

So what have I been up to?
I've been looking for a job, which is important and I'm waiting on that ... but more importantly - I've had lots of time to spend seeking God and asking for direction in my life. And I've had some really sweet times where He has been clearly showing me what I should be doing in this time.

The first thing God put on my heart was to get involved in serving at church now that I've moved home and will be there consistently for the next while. The past two years I haven't been actively involved in any kind of ministry or serving and it really impacted my relationship with God.. and not in a good way.. so I'm very glad for this opportunity to be serving in some capacity again!

The second major thing God has been putting on my heart  is an intense hopefulness that God is getting ready to do something in my life and to TRUST Him - to stand on His promises -- and that they really are true, and that He will provide (even if it might not be in the ways I am thinking)! I am really excited to watch and wait for God to do....whatever He's gonna do! :)

I Will Build My Church

 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.  And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

~Matthew 16:15-18 ~

I was doing some thinking on this passage from the sermon on Sunday which was about the Church and whether it's still needed (Hint: The answer is yes!)

So a few thoughts... This section has always confused me a little bit. I know Peter went on to preach and help establish and encourage believers - but the church is not about Peter.
So I read and re-read and found what I was searching for in the previous two verses which I have summed up and understand as meaning: 

Jesus will build His church, not directly on Peter, but on the revelation that Jesus Christ is the Messiah as revealed to people through God the Father. 

This truth that God revealed to Peter, the other disciples and every single believer since is what the gates of Hell can not and never will be able to overcome. Satan and all his demons and all evil can not change who Jesus is or what He's done and.. that's just really amazing!