Today I've spent some time reflecting on things that people have said to me that have stayed with me. During a worship night at Life Pointe Church in Ames this past school year, pastor Katie came up to me as we were worshiping and gave me a word. She told me that I was a person that was fixated on Jesus. Sometimes I don't feel as if that statement is accurate in my life. But that phrase has really echoed throughout my mind in the moments that I feel distracted.

The direct definition of fixation is: "The action of concentrating the eyes directly on something". This definition reminds me of when I was little and my mom would ask me to do something while I was watching a TV show. I would be so fixated on the TV that I wouldn't even hear her. How sweet would our relationship with the Lord be if we were truly fixated on him. When you are fully fixated on Jesus, the enemies voice is so quiet. It is so much harder to fall when you can't take your eyes off Jesus. My desire is to seek Jesus in this way in everything that I do.

There have been many different seasons of my life that I have just let the smallest distractions drive me further away from the Lord. But in the times that I felt like I was truly fixated on Jesus, every bit of my anxieties and fears were so much further away. It seems so simple. I know that Jesus brings indescribable joy and quiets our fears and anxieties but sometimes I just don't feel like picking up my bible. Apathy and laziness take over. But that is not what we were designed for. We were designed for deep relationship with Jesus. Deeper than religious habits, and deeper than a bible verse in an instagram bio.

In this season of preparation I will continue to lean on the reminder to be fixated on Jesus. I will be leaving so soon and the preparation will turn into the my time on the field! I am so overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who has supported me on this journey so far, and I will continue praying for my future supporters! Love you all!

-Lex