Cassie S.

Today, Cassie shares her thoughts on pursuing grace over perfection, her reading list, how God parting the Red Sea through Moses spoke to her recently, and how music affects our spirituality.

Cassie S.

Inspiring biblical passage of the moment: Probably 2 Corinthians 12:9. I’ve been going through a season where I have had to realize that as Christians, we are supposed to pursue grace over perfection.

“[W]e are supposed to pursue grace over perfection.”

Spiritual growth focus at the moment: Kind of elaborating on the first question, I have a Type A personality. I have a constant need to be in control and know what is going on. I have to have everything perfect, but I’ve been trying to focus more on God’s grace than perfection. He’s the only one that I need to be worried about, and if I am meant to be at a certain place or point in my life, He will put me there so I don’t have to worry.

Profession:  I am currently in my fourth year of college. I’m pursuing a BA in History and a minor in Political Science. I will be attending law school, next fall.

A one sentence bio of yourself: I’ve never been really good at bios, but I guess it would be, “Just your average 22 year old, who is in love with Jesus, a connoisseur of breakfast food and wine, and a complete Disnerd and Potterhead.”

When did you first encounter God: I grew up in church, but the night I really encountered God was when I was 14. Before then, He was just this invisible Being that everyone talked about but that I had never experienced myself. On August 24, 2010, I experienced Him fully for the first time, and I will never forget it!

What has helped you grow spiritually in this season: I’ve been following along with this Bible Study written by my favorite blogger, Gretchen Saffles (Well-Watered Women). It is called, “Redefined,” and it is all about finding your identity in Christ and learning who you are in Him. It has helped me a lot lately, but just reading my Bible does, too. I love studying the Word. I think it is probably my favorite thing to do.

Just read/currently reading: I’m the type of person who attempts (and usually fails) to read several books at the same time. Currently, I am reading White Over Black by Winthrop Jordan, Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, and It Can’t Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis.

Top three essentials: My top three essentials are my Bible, my phone, and my dog (I hope that counts!) (*laughs*).

How did God speak to you recently: God speaks to me a lot through the Word. Probably the most recent moment was this past week, when I started to doubt Him– where I am in my life, and my future, and then, it just so happened that one of the days of the Redefined study that I previously mentioned went over the parting of the Red Sea. Right before God allowed Moses to part the Sea, the Israelites had a really bad attitude, and they were asking Moses if he had led them out of Egypt just to die in the wilderness. As I read it, I kind of had an “Aha!” moment, where I realized that [this] had been my attitude for the past couple of days.

“I kind of had an ‘Aha!’ moment, where I realized that [this] had been my attitude for the past couple of days.”

Hobby: Definitely, writing! Being in college, I don’t always find the time, but I make sure to journal everyday, at least. I do have a blog (theproverbsprincess.com), so you can check it out! I designed it all by myself, and I’m pretty proud of it.

Top three practical tips for staying spiritually strong: 

(1) Pray and read your Bible even when you don’t feel like it, and even when it feels awkward because you have strayed away. It will make everything better, trust me.

(2) Surround yourself with like-minded Christian people. When people say that you are who you surround yourself with, that is definitely true. Surround yourself with people who love Jesus more than you, and you will grow in your relationship with Him.

(3) Listen to Christian music. I mean, I’m not saying other music isn’t good (I’m a huge Imagine Dragons fan, and I also love any Broadway soundtrack), but music really has the power to affect our mindset. I’ve noticed that when I listen to more secular music, it causes me to dwell on things that aren’t exactly Godly.

“I’ve noticed that when I listen to more secular music, it causes me to dwell on things that aren’t exactly Godly.”

Favorite person in scripture: King David, hands down. He was living proof that God can take an ordinary man, with extraordinary faults, and still use him for His glory. His story also shows that no matter how far we stray away, we can never escape God, and He will never stop loving us.

“[N]o matter how far we stray away, we can never escape God…”

What do you want people to learn about God when they look at you: I want people to know that if God can save me, He can save anyone.

Favorite season: My favorite season is winter! I’m from the great state of Georgia, so our winters aren’t very long, but I much prefer them over the 80 degree weather we have the rest of the year. I love getting to wear sweaters, boots, and cuddle up on my couch with some hot chocolate and a good book.

Favorite holiday: It is a toss up between Halloween and Christmas. I love being scared and dressing up on Halloween, but there is something so magical and sweet about Christmas.

A special tradition you and your family engage in or keep: I currently still live with my parents, and we still have family dinners every single night. It is something I am going to miss when I move out in the spring.

Question you will ask when you get to heaven: I honestly can’t think of one!

Thing you want to raise awareness about: Modern-day slavery. Living in metro Atlanta, it’s well known that it is one of the biggest hotspots in the U.S. of human trafficking. I’m hoping that as an attorney, I will be able to do something about it.

What do you usually do before 9 a.m.? I typically wake up about 8 a.m., and I spend about two hours reading my Bible and just spending time with Jesus.

What is on your nightstand? My essential oil diffuser that lights up and my Bible!

For more Cassie:

Social Media: @cassielovesjesus

Until next time, keep witnessing!

XOXO