Italy or Switzerland?
On my wall is a plaque that says, “If God brings you to it, He’ll bring you through it.” I strongly believe this and He makes things possible in the most unique ways.
As I was reading the book “Chasing the Lion,” by Mark Batterson, a section really highlighted my need to change from being dull and boring. The author commented that adversity makes great moments and destiny. Italy had great adversity; wars, Caesars etc. and through the diversity they produced the Renaissance. Switzerland always played it safe and their legacy is the Coo Coo Clock.
I’ve visited both countries and I’ve never had a real passion to return to Switzerland. It is very beautiful and my best memory was staying at a small chalet in the alps with views of the Matterhorn, but that was because of the extremely soft down comforter on the bed. It was so comfortable. I now have down comforters on all the beds in my home.
But Italy……. I could live there. I want to go back. I loving selling this destination to my clients and get excited every time I get to make those arrangements for them. I like the culture, the history, the landscape and I will return some day.
I dream of running through the Italian countryside, staying in a villa or small apartment, walking the cobblestone streets, visiting the Vatican, the Colosseum, touring Tuscany, floating in a gondola through the Grand Canal, eating in street side cafes and having real Italian gelati. It’s a dream of mine to return to Italy, a dream I dream while sleeping on my down comforter, my compliments to Switzerland.
When I looked up the word Renaissance it means a rebirth, a revival. That’s what I want in my life! Rebirth and Revival. Just reading my own descriptions of the two destinations I can feel my passion and excitement for Italy.
I believe that is what God wanted me to see and experience in reading this book. I can choose to be comfortable and calm in the way I live or I can choose to step out and take the challenges and adversities that come and make them into something new.
Change is challenging, but if I keep doing things the same way that I always have my life will remain the same, dull and boring. I don’t want that. I want my life to make a difference. I want to help people know that they matter and have value. I want to have adventures and make memories. None of those things are done by comfortably being wrapped up in a down comforter. They happen when I choose change, when I accept God’s invitation to work along side of Him and have daily adventures with Him.
I just need to remember that He has brought me to this change and He will bring me through it!
My prayer
Father, revive me! Make me alive again in pursuit of all You have for me. Help me take change head on knowing that You have a purpose for it and that You will make a way through it for me. Thank you for inviting me on this life journey. I look forward to our adventures together and all the moments to come. Amen
Where does my help come from?
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”