crashing waves

[1 Peter 5:1-11. Serve God Willingly.

Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.{nasb}]

i am so overwhelmed with encouragement from this passage! 

today was a hard, surreal kind of day for me...i really miss peter. i left church so encouraged by the message on ephesians and then went and spent time at the flying goat coffee with friends, reading &fellowshipping, &yet i still missed my best friend, i can't escape it, i love him.i kept looking up from my reading, in a forgetful [yet still vain] attempt to see this figure[in real-life] looking back at me...alas, washington is much further away than the span of a coffee table :/

i'm elated still! the Lord proves faithful and compassionate [as always]! He is comfort &He is home. every time i feel like the crashing waves are going to finally devour me, the Holy Spirit fills me with hope, bringing scripture to head &heart, &reminding me that He is in control--calming the storm i've wickedly created for &in myself! He cares for me; so i will cast my cares on Him! "...the God of all grace, who called [me] to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish [me]." 

my prayer is that my passion for the Lord is stronger than my passion for any other thing. i want to be confirmed, strengthened, &established in Jesus!

xoxo. grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.[eph. 6:24]