I remember when I first heard someone tell me "the best is yet to come." I stood crying on the balcony of Kids Across America's dining hall overlooking the rain dance on the pool below in the final week of camp. That summer remains a defining time in my life, one where I truly began to understand what a relationship with Jesus is all about. I honestly didn't want camp to end; I didn't want to return to Duke for senior year and everything I knew before spending a summer in Golden, Missouri; I didn't want to leave the community where I experienced the greatest fellowship and growth at that point in my life.
I more clearly recognize how I felt in that moment: I was scared, real scared.
That's when I noticed a gentle tap on my shoulder and I turned to see another counselor friend. I quickly tried to pull myself together and wipe away my tears, but it was no use; she'd already seen me crying and wanted to comfort me. She pulled me into a side hug and I let some more tears fall. I know she shared some deep profound things in that moment but what stood out the most was what I didn't believe to be true until a while after I left camp that rainy day: "Colleen, the best is yet to come."
That happened five years ago and I've heard that phrase a number of times since. With each usage, I become more confident in its truth because I've witness God provide. Quite a few people said it toward the end of the Race; I even found myself uttering it at certain times to calm me when everything else overwhelmed. It reminded me of His faithfulness and the testimonies I have of His presence in difficult seasons.
Transitioning home from the Race was no exception to that.
I'll be honest: the struggle was real. No purpose in sugar-coating. Most days, sleep seemed way better than waking up and beginning another day. Often I realized how I'm not in control of my life and got really annoyed about it. I usually freaked out about being a mess and imperfect only to discover that's precisely where a greater understanding of grace truly sunk into my heart.
"The best is yet to come." It's speaking of eternity. I experience eternal things while I'm here but I won't ever fully be satisfied on earth because I long for something far greater. I will have good and awesome seasons beyond what I experienced on my Race. This is true. And I just started another chapter: I'm currently at the Center for Global Action (CGA) at AIM's headquarters in Georgia. But full satisfaction will only occur when I'm with the One who fully satisfies. And for Him and through Him and by Him, I am hopeful.
The best is yet to come ..
