I felt it was time to give another update on the things happening here. There is constantly emotional things that God is bringing up to be dealt with, so there is a constant breakthrough happening in my heart. But there are just two things that I felt like sharing on today.
1. Unexpected love for the bible teaching!
I was born and raised in the south. That implies that since birth there is a pressure put on me by my surroundings (church's and Christians) to spend a certain amount of time a day reading the bible, praying, and worshipping. I think because there was this pressure on my shoulders that said "To earn Gods love, you have to read the bible", I actually developed a dislike for the bible. I couldn't measure up so why try!
The last several years I've experienced such a profound love from God that it has changed my views of the bible, and now I enjoy it. But it still presents challenges and things that confuse me.
The bible teaching at Bethel wasn't something that was on my list of "Things Hannah is Excited to Learn". But I am excited to say that I'm being awestruck at the simple tools to interpreting what scripture means! For the first time I can read a parable and actually understand the context and the point the author is making. I had no idea that there was a way to understand the bible. I thought you just read and hopefully one day understand the context. Jesus is amazing! I love his words.
2. Dreaming with God! (Dreams for life not night dreams)
As a BSSM student I have the privilege of choosing a class to take. Choices range from prophetic class, learning to live a supernatural lifestyle, study of powerful women of the bible, ect. The class that I am taking is called "Kingdom Creativity". This is a class that trains you to be creative and dream with God. Within that class I have options: Writing, Music, Film, Dance, Culinary Arts, or Art. I chose culinary arts.
Last week we were being taught by Theresa Dedmond. She was speaking on the value of dreams. She told us, "Ask God what He thinks of your dreams." As a class we all entered into conversation with Holy Spirit. Then she said, "Now ask Him 'What will happen if I dare to dream these dreams?'"
I was immediately moved by the power of dreaming.
Theresa then told us to pick a dream and turn to the person next to us to tell them about it so they could encourage us in it. I turned to the person next to me and my mind went blank! I didn't know what to say!
"I don't know!" I said. "I love music. And cooking. And business. I want a bed and breakfast one day. I don't know how to tie this all in."
The woman I was speaking to is a third year bethel student.
She replied, "Oh I see how that could work all together." She goes on to explain a beautiful picture of how my passion for music and cooking could work together to create a healing environment in my future businesses.
The next thing she said blew my mind to pieces.
"I see what your bed and breakfast looks like!" She then describes the intricate details of what I've always dreamed my business to look like, ranging from the exterior building style to the interior curtains and furniture.
Jaw dropped and wide eyed, I stared at her and laughed. I laughed on and on in absolute shock.
Since that moment I have had massive clarity for the things I want in life. I'm also in wonderment of how deeply and intricately God knows my heart. It's astounding.
To wrap up, I wanted to share about knowing your beauty. I have had this conversation with many people in the last few months.
Why are bethel students so beautiful? Here are the most stunning people I've ever seen! I was almost uncomfortable to be here because I haven't felt like I'm on that level.
I've been realizing, these people know who they are. They know their identity as lovers of God, and they carry that confidence. It's as if beauty is a response to being loved whole. I'm allowing my perspective to be changed from outwardly expressing beauty to inwardly accepting my beauty. If I can receive the truth that my Papa God is holy and beautiful, and he's in love with me, I am beautiful in nature.
It's interesting that our culture wraps itself around beauty, because that is what we are made for. Instead of striving for it, perhaps we should pursue our fathers embrace. That is what brings our exterior into wholeness and wonder. Beauty is an inside job, but it shows on the outside.
Thanks for reading! I'm a girl of many words so I appreciate that you persevered through my updates.
Much love,
Hannah
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