living with purpose

a couple of Sundays ago at church, my pastor talked God having a purpose for our lives. God created the heavens & the earth, and in that there was order and purpose. my pastor gave an overview of his life starting at birth, pretty much hitting the highest points. he encouraged us to do the same. because everything that has happened in our lives, has happened because God has a specific plan and purpose for our lives. nothing that happens goes without Him knowing. so here goes nothing.

the life & times of 

Evan Whitlock

I was born in 1990 in southwestern Indiana, but my family lived in southern Illinois. the town I was born in had the closest/nicest hospital to have a baby in when I was born. ever since then, I lived in the same old little bitty town with my parents and older brother.
we went to church about 7 miles from our house. we enjoyed going to church here, but all the kids went to a different school than me.
in 1995, I started kindergarten. school was my favorite. I was really good at it :)
January 1998, I accepted Christ as my Savior and I was baptized. I had grown up in a family of Christians, but I knew I had to make a decision for myself. even then, I wasn't quite sure what it meant.
fast forward to junior high, we had switched churches where I had more friends and the atmosphere was more of what we needed at the time. you could say I was athletic/outgoing: I was very involved in soccer, gymnastics & cheerleading with quite a large group of friends. within the two years of being in junior high, I lost four people very special to me: one close friend, two great-grandmas, and one young cousin. this was a very hard time in my life. at the time it seemed like the world was crashing down on me and God had abandoned me. God used that time to draw me closer to Him & to rely more Him.
then I went to high school, four years of soccer, studying, Christian friends, working hard to get into college.
I went to college in the same town I was born in with the intent to be a physical therapist, mostly because I knew they made a lot of money and because I was super skilled in science & math. but after two years of taking classes in my major, I realized that this career path was not meant for me. so after countless hours of prayer, I changed my major to graphic design, because art had always been one of my passions. while I was in college, I found some of the greatest friends ever through SCF (student christian fellowship). these people were incredible and I know God placed them in my life specifically to help me get along in school.
in the summer on 2011 between my junior and senior years, I went to Ukraine as a missions intern with CMF (christian missionary fellowship). here I learned about God's heart for other nations and how missionaries live and function. I felt like this was where I felt the most at touch with God.
this past spring, I graduated with my degree in Visual Communication Design basically graphic design. since then, I have been in a place of searching out God's will for my life.

I think God used everything in my life for a specific purpose and without every single thing that happened I wouldn't be where I am today. and even though some things weren't exactly pleasant and didn't go the way I would have planned, God had a plan and has yet to let me down. He is always there for me. I don't know where I'm going next, but God still has a plan and a purpose for me regardless.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

Jeremiah 29:11

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:6-7

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
1 Corinthians 14:33

devastion

as many people have heard by now, there was a horrific tornado in my hometown of Harrisburg, IL on early Wednesday morning.
lives were lost, homes destroyed, stores demolished.
but we won't let that keep us down.
there have been people from all over  have been pitching in to help rebuild our little city.
people have been working hard, every day.
I'm so proud to come from a town where this can't and won't bring us down.
Mayor Gregg, such a wonderful man, has been quoted saying, we will rebuild and this will make us stronger.
even though it's for awful reasons, the New York Times did an incredible picture slideshow. 
you can see it here: NY Times Slideshow
right now, prayers for strength and peace are much needed.

"fix my eyes on You"

the end of the semester is nearly here, 

only one more exam stands in my way of being home for a solid 3 and a half weeks.

this past week or so has been crazy ridiculous.

there have been quite a few mishaps at the painting house.

quite a few tears shed.

quite a bit of sulking.

I've had my fair share of feeling bad for myself, but this past week has taken the cake.

luckily, I have some awesome friends who have been there for me.

to sit with me when I cried, to buy me Sonic slushes,

to encourage me through it all.

and even when it felt like God was super far away letting the whole world cave in on me, 

He was still there.

it just took a little while for me to see past the smoke.

this past Sunday at OneLife Church, 

we sang a song called "You are More" by Hillsong United.

there is a line in there that really struck me:  

"I will see this season through, 

I will fix my eyes on You, only You."

man, how often do we see actually see what God is doing in our lives?

how often do we take the time to reflect on what He has done?

I know that I am guilty of not "fixing my eyes" on Him, especially in the tough times.

Jesus didn't say it was going to be easy following Him, but He left us with the great Comforter.

the Holy Spirit is there to help you get through those tough times.

to help you see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I challenge you to fix your eyes on the one who gave you life.

no matter how rough the waters seem right now,

fix your eyes upon the one true God.

the one who will never leave you, nor forsake you.

it'll make a world of difference.