It has been well over a month since I last published on my website. The commencement of the soccer season completely removed any semblance of free time I once possessed, forcing me to temporarily pause my writing.
My time in solitude has ended. I’m back.
Although my publishing schedule will change (I will now publish one post a week), I am returning to writing with high expectations- I’d like to pass 1,500 followers before 2021 has arrived.
Yet aside from my personal goals and lack of time, the Lord has worked some marvelous things in the past three months. His graciousness has shown through, demonstrating His never-stopping, never-ending, always-pursuing, and never-giving-up love.
For the past ten or twelve weeks, God has confronted me on several heart issues, including my pride and tendency to see myself above others. He has shown me the root effects of my anger and has given me several newer friends to lift me up and push me back towards Him.
He has also given me clear, concise guidance in my relationship with a dear friend of mine. He showed me my absolute need for Christ to be closely involved in all of my relationships, beyond even that specific friendship.
Finally, God has continued to confront me on my relationship with my parents and siblings. While many of the problems my parents and I face are labeled as “common teenage problems”, I reject such labeling. These problems, while common to man, were not common to Jesus. Because I am called to emulate Him in every possible way, I must strive for a good, pure relationship with my parents and siblings.
I am very thankful for the marvelous works of Christ within my own life. He truly is good, isn’t He? There is no denying the power and glory of our God!
-Elisha
Elisha McFarland 
Amen Elisha, well done for your honesty about your fight with sin, which I can assure you doesn’t get any easier! I’m praying for you with your closest relationships especially. I know you’ve posted about the importance of taking time on the most important of human relationships- marriage. But I would encourage you to follow God on this and not the culture. I appreciate you’ll want to get established in life, but too many Christian men (myself included) have dragged our feet in getting married, and there’s no need because it’s a wonderful gift. God bless 🙂
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Absolutely, and yes, you have correctly (I am surprisingly not surprised lol) guessed the type of leadership I was looking for. My dad has been very influential in this stage of my life and I’m grateful for his advice. Your prayers (and advice, honestly) are appreciated and cherished!
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One of the beauties of the father-son relationship, is that as we get older, our dads become even more important, as friends and counsellors. I like to think I value my dad more than ever, and will miss him when he’s gone!
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Absolutely. He is an amazing guy and I don’t take him for granted!
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I’ve missed reading your posts! So glad to see you writing again. 🙂 Your honesty and openness is much appreciated. A verse that came to mind while I read this was Philippians 1:6. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ”. The Lord is doing an incredible thing in and through you, Elisha, and it is a blessing to be able to see His hand on you and your life as you follow where He leads~
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Aww, thank you my dear
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Awesome, I like how you addressed the concept of so-called “common teenage problems.” Thanks for your honesty. It shows in all your writing. Can’t wait to be reading your posts again!😄
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Ahaha thanks!
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Yr welcome!
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So glad to have you back. With so much artificial “happiness” and pretend on the internet nowadays, it’s so good to hear someone speaking the truth with true happiness. Thanks so much for taking the time to share this with us.
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Yeah, that’s true. Many people don’t really know how to express their real feelings, but I find it helpful to be very honest. Thanks for reading!
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It’s interesting to think of Christ as a teenager. When he was witnessing to others, I wonder how his parents reacted? Did he have chores? We think of him as infallible, which definitely puts a spin on viewing him as a teenager, not that making error is a bad thing.
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That’s quite true. Since I understand him to be sinless, I almost wonder how Mary thought of him as a teenager. Interesting to think about
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Welcome back, sir! I know from personal experience that it’s hard to be honest with oneself about struggles, let alone other people, but thanks for sharing that. It’s encouraging to know that I’m not the only one who struggles with issues like this.
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Absolutely- you are not alone! Ready to continue reading your posts!
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Haha yeah… I keep telling myself I have one coming, but it’s been sitting in my drafts folder for a few weeks, so we’ll see.
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Ooof I know what that feels like
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I appreciate the honesty that shines through in your writing. I feel like teens (especially Christian teens) are often told, “You’re not alone in your struggles”, but we can’t understand that concept until we see others acknowledging their weaknesses and hurt, and do so ourselves.
Thanks for being an encouragement!
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Annika, you aren’t alone, and neither am I. There is no sin new to man, and there is nothing we can struggle with that isn’t experienced by others (and understood by God). Glad to be encouraging!
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Thank you for your honesty and openness, brother. It’s great to see you back writing again! I pray God guides you clearly in this season of your life and that you feel His presence every step of the way.
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I’ve found myself struggling with pride a lot lately, so thanks for sharing your struggles as well. I’ve also been learning a lot about God and Jesus in my systematic theology class at my gap year program. It is interesting to think of him as a teenager. Then again, teenagers didn’t really exist back then. But most everything I learn about Christ just brings me closer to relating and connecting with him more. Today we were to about Arminianism and Calvinism. I thought my brain was going to explode on the topic of Jesus being totally God and totally man, but I think my mind just gave up and melted today.
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Yeah, tough topics. Glad you’re enjoying your theology classes!
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