“Waking Hours” // Day 8

Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy, welcome to “Waking Hours”. This is a note that I, Calvin, wanted to share with you all, my InsideOut group or really anyone reading. These are some of the things that were on my mind, brought a smile to my face, fascinated me about the wonders of our world, or gave me the motivation to make the most of today. Take a few minutes and relax and read along.

Some songs that has been putting my heart right where it needs to be.

Worship has been THE thing pushing me forward in this year. I found this song not too long ago, and nearly every morning this is playing while I’m making coffee. It’s a reminder. A moment to slow down and realize who needs to be at the center. Who is in control in your heart?
In Control (Acoustic) — Hillsong Worship
Maverick City Christmas — Maverick City Christmas
Hope Has A Name — Passion

A movie that has my mind stirring.

The Social Dilemma.
Y’all this movie will freak you out in the best way. Give it a watch and think about how much time you really give to that device in your pocket. Get out and explore God’s beautiful world, for yourself, not through a feed. Find it on Netflix.

A book to go with it, if that’s your thing (and it should be).

I know, I know you might think reading is lame. But think about this, in order for a book to be in your hands, someone spent at least a year in the writing and publishing process to get those pieces of paper, with those words in that order, bound in that cover, for you to hold. If something took that long to craft and create, it might just be worth giving it a few minutes of your time each day.

So, the book, Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now, is mentioned in The Social Dilemma and is next on my reading stack. Maybe you wanna grab it too and we can read it together.

Encouragement and my heart.

It’s late at night when I am writing this and my heart is heavy for you guys. The words “it is not easy” keep coming to mind. It is not easy to be a high schooler right now. It is not easy to be in Gen Z right now. It is not easy to look 2020 in the face and “consider it pure joy” (James 1:2). But there is a set of verses I come back to over and over again, along with a Psalm you might know, that I want you to read and I hope you hold close in this season.

“Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30 NIV)

This is an invitation. To stop your striving and trying to define yourself externally. To replace those burdens you’re carrying with the weight of yoke. You are loved by God, and he wants you to take his way upon you, the way of the easy yoke, and walk with him. And the promise? Rest for your soul.

Now go read Psalm 23 and sit for a minute, talk with God or just listen to what he might have to say to you.

Have a great week.

See you Sunday.

Calvin.