103 days, 10 hours, and counting...College move-in day approaches.
I am way past ready. I know that I am to be on that campus the 8th of January. It's time, He has made that very clear. So many things stood in my way that were impossible to work out. And believe me, I tried. Each one were necessities before moving day. However, I 've seen Him work things out despite the impossibilities. It was all Him, and He has proven that to me. And in that way, proven that college is His will for me. I'll spare you the details...for now. ;) They are incredible, and unexplainable...except God. I am scared to death, there's no question about that. But I am ready! I chose rather to take a step into "adult-hood" rather than shrink in fear. Taking a leap of faith, than stay in my comfort zone. The rewards far exceed the disadvantages. Six months into my first "real" job proves that. That was all Him, and I can see His hand in it constantly. I couldn't have been given a better job. It is providing me, not only with the means of which to go to college, but incredible experiences and training. I try to soak in every moment. Every training, every day, I try to process it all as, "How can I use this with my future ministry or family?". EVERYTHING relates to how I will work with my future kids and families. Positively, or negatively, I am gaining irreplaceable hands-on experiences. Yes, it is still overwhelming. There's an unreal amount of unknowns, and so much preparation. Let alone, I am the DIY, Pinterest obsessed girl who has all these projects she wants to attempt before move in day. I am excited. I am ready. I am scared. And I fear failure. Only one more hurdle standing between me and college. However, if I take a moment and see what He's done thus far, it's silly for me to doubt that He will provide for me yet again. Look around at what He's done in your life. Things may seem like a struggle at the moment, and you may doubt if it will all work out, but just trust Him. Place it in His hands. His way is the best way, even if it's against our own. The safest place to be is in the center of God's will. If you are there, you have nothing to fear.
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1 Timothy 4:7&8
But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Hebrews 12.1&2 Wherefore seing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith... There is a race. We run it every day. Your competition is not against the runner next to you, for there is none; it is against the runner inside of you. There is a race that is set before us. We each have a set distance we must run. With the finish line, Jesus. The Christian life is a race. One to endure. It is not a sprint, but more like a marathon. Running is an incredible analogy for life. That is one of the reasons I love it. It takes determination, purpose, and will-power. It will be painful. It will take everything you have to finish, and finish well. It will challenge you, and push you to your limits. But what doesn't challenge you, doesn't change you. It's exhausting. But the greatest feeling, that you experience of finishing, you may never feel if you don't have the courage to start. If you never stand behind the starting line, you will never cross the finish line. That's profound, isn't it? If you never start, you'll never accomplish anything. Most people don't take up the challenge because of fear. They are already defeated because they don't believe they can do it. They fear failure. Or there are conveniently excuses available. Great things never come from comfort zones. Don't be afraid to take that leap of faith. You have nothing to lose but fear. You can never finish well until you first step up to the starting line. And before you can run well in your Christian life, you must first join the race. Start now, accept Him, and "Get a life". The miracle isn't that we finish, it's that we have the courage to start. Your mind gives up before you do. How will you finish, and will you finish well? You will never know until you have the courage to start. Will you be a strong finisher, or continue to be a watcher on the side-lines? We look much different at the finish line that at the starting line. Running changes you. It makes you stronger. It is a journey, not a destination, and along the way, it has it's way of making you into a different person. One with determination, strength, and focus. Running is a sport of the mind, you must make up your mind that you WILL continue; you WILL start. Find that desire to finish and turn it into the courage to start. Lace up your shoes, take up the challenge, and join me in the race. Go outside, and RUN! We all know the story of Jonah and the parting of the Red Sea quite well. Yes, I know, I was Moses.... making sure you're paying attention.
When God caused the parting of the Red Sea, it was for Israel to escape with their lives from the Egyptians. Now, however, Israel was on the march and the enemy was on the other side of the river. But the crossing of Jordan was more of an act of faith than the crossing of the Red Sea. Upon leaving Egypt, the Israelite s saw God part the waters before they entered them. But now the waters were not parted. Not until the soles of the Priests feet touched the water was the river rolled back. It was not an act of obedience following what God had already done, but an act of faith which caused the priests to enter the swift current of the mighty Jordan. I am very much a people watcher. I observe, listen, and pick up on things. Through at least 23 hours on the road the past few weeks, and contact with countless people through pre-service and work alone, I've had my share of socializing. And in the past two weeks, I've sat through around 41 hours of training and lectures on working with kids and families. I had already started this post, so having all that on the mind, it pushed me to get this written, despite being quite different, though the same topic, as what I've been listening to.
The family is one of the institutions set up by God, it is important to Him, as it should be to us. The Bible has much to say about it. Just as the parents have a great responsibility, so do the children. |
Lizzy parkerMarriage.
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January 2023
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