Western Mindset of Self Promotion and Self Awareness...

Before I say anything, I just want to admit that I am as equally guilty as the next person... I have been selfish. I have been so selfish.

Tonight, ACU had a Chapel forum for Invisible Children. Representatives from IC came, showed a video, and spoke to us. It was a really moving experience for me. Now, I knew about Invisible Children in high school and helped out at the time. I never really became as passionate about it in high school, as I became tonight.
I'm generally a pretty sensitive and compassionate person, but tonight I just broke down crying.

Living in America, we can be so caught up in ourselves, our problems, and our wants and needs. The world tells you to seek promoting yourself and climb the ladder of American success. They tell you to chase the American Dream and to pursue the dollar sign. They say that your value comes from what you do and how successful you are at it, the money you make, and the possessions you own. You don't have time to worry about the world outside your own four walls because it's all about "me, me, me." Success in America's eyes all promotes self. We're too focused on our latest device of technology, and picking out what outfit to wear the next day. Western culture is go, go, go and don't stop. Don't you dare stop or take your eyes off of yourself. If you do then success and the American Dream will take longer to achieve. People who are hurting? People who are starving, dying, and lost? No, no- they don't exist because they're not inside the 4 walls that I dwell in. If I don't see it, and if it doesn't involve me, then why care? Why pay attention to anyone other than yourself? This is what Western culture and America promotes. We're all about independence with a capital I!

I realized tonight that I, too, have fallen into this cultural trap. My heart does cry out for and desperately wants to help those who are in need and who are hurting- I really do. But, I am a perpetrator of this cultural "me" -focused mentality. I get caught up in accomplishing what's on my to-do list, managing my time, and in typical American lifestyle things. This world is bigger than just me. I am just one person. It's not all about me. It's not all about what I have to get done and whether or not I have time to do things other than what I planned. This life that I live is not FOR or ABOUT me. Yes, I get the privilege of living this life, but it is a PRIVILEGE like I said before. I get to life this life because I am here for a purpose. A purpose that is bigger than myself. I have been given the breath of life so that I can help others around me and glorify the One who has given me breath. My agenda, my wants and needs, and my time is NOT meant to be all about me. It's about HIM and THEM. That's what it's for. I am one person, but I am living, moving, and breathing so that I can touch the lives of MANY people in need.

God re-awakened my heart tonight for our broken world. It's bigger than the four walls I reside in. It's bigger than me. It's bigger than Texas. It's much greater than America. It's world-wide. We all hurt and have needs. This world is in pain. It is crying out for a generation to take a stand, and to take their eyes off of themselves and focus on OTHERS. A world in need is crying out for a Solution, crying out for hope and peace, and crying out for meaning. Human beings everywhere are crying out for LOVE. Not the FASAD that is love, but the REAL THING.

This is burning in my bones, and is at the core of who I am. I want to bring LOVE, REAL LOVE. I want to bring a culture of LOVE to this desperate planet. A LOVE BIGGER THAN JUST ME. AGAPE LOVE.


Are you aware of the world around you? the people around you? the bigger picture?

Just thoughts.


LOVE y'all & God Bless! <3

I am Meagan Whitson, and I am beyond excited right now. :)

Life is Journey

I know, I know, it's been a while since I have posted last, but I've been a busy college kid! haha...

Anyways, many exciting and new things have been happening in my life since we've last chatted. I recently went home for a night last weekend. I saw my family and my best friend, and it was such a good time! I babysat my littlest sisters Macey and Izzy. They're so precious. Izzy is 5 and she is becoming so grown up! She was instructing me on how to bathe and take care of Macey, it was cute! Macey is almost 6 months and she is laughing, smiling, talking, and playing more! She's so sweet and CUTE! My sister who is a year younger than me filled me in on life at home later that night. My family and I celebrated my step-mom's birthday too. I had a good coffee talk with my mom about my future. :) I am so blessed to have the family that I have. God has totally brought me into a place of deeper appreciation for my family, especially my parents. Parents, contrary to previous statements and feelings I have had towards them, are indeed a great idea that God had. Parents do so much! They not only financially and physically provide for their children, but also emotionally provide and support them. I would definitely be the person I am today without my great parents!

So, back to the new things. God is bringing me to a deeper level of faith and trust in Him, especially regarding the plans He has for my future. I feel that God is taking and calling me to a new place... in many different ways and meanings. I'm so excited for this new season of life that is approaching! At the same time, it requires me to stand on the edge of a deep cliff and just jump off with everything that I have trusting that God will catch me. It's thrilling and exciting, yet there is a definite sense of the unknown. The one thing I do know is that God will catch me when I jump- no questions asked. He's calling me to take the biggest leap of blind faith I have ever taken in my life. I know His plans for me are nothing but the best. I fully believe that with all of my heart- it's not just something I am saying to sound good. I am so pumped. God is making my dreams come alive. He cares about my dreams and desires. With Him, my dreams will become a reality. In this season of transition, I know that God is calling me to do things that are bigger than myself. If I can do it on my own, then it's not of God. I can't do anything without Him. God is so, so, so faithful! I cannot wait to see what He has in store for me next on this beautiful journey...

Life is a journey and a grand adventure! There are highs and lows, and One constant. There are many obstacles. I am starting to see how these obstacles are just opportunities; opportunities to grow, become stronger, and to embrace what life is giving you. Obstacles are part of the adventure. You can find adventure in the challenges thrown your way, or you can allow the obstacle to claim victory over you life. I am more than a conqueror. I have victory over every obstacle. I know the outcome- my God wins, and because of His victory, I too am victorious. No obstacle is too big for me, because my God is bigger than them all. The obstacle is an opportunity. I can choose to be joyful or discouraged when an obstacle comes knocking on my door. I choose JOY.-Joy in the Lord! Many people think that I don't ever face challenges in life because I have constant joy. Joy from the Lord alone. I have troubles and hard times too; I am just choosing to rejoice through the obstacles and remind myself that I already know the outcome- God already knows the outcome. VICTORY. I am VICTORIOUS. The obstacles add to the adventure. I love adventure, it's in the very core of who I am- adventurous. There is adventure in the journey. I know my destination, so there is no need for me to doubt my GPS system. Discouragement will not dominate me and will not ruin my adventure. I have the best travel companion ever, too. He knows the way and lights my path when I can't see. There could never be a greater adventure than the journey of life with Him. My shoes are laced up and I'm ready to go. I won't quit, or slow down.

Sorry for the great length of this post. :)

Love y'all and God Bless! <3

I am Meagan Whitson, and I just had an impromptu dance party in my dorm room when no one was around.

Embrace the journey!