Something New.

"But forget all that — it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland."
Isaiah 43:18,19
 

The promises spoken in this passage have been ones to cling to in this crazy season of change in my life. 

As many know, I left a job that I absolutely loved and had a crazy passion for this past spring. I was working with high school students — building relationships with them, and in turn — introducing them to the power and love of Jesus Christ. God was evident in this ministry — changing lives for His Kingdom. 

But, God had different plans for my journey in His Kingdom. My plan, was to stay in Bozeman. Work with high school students. Maybe save up to buy a house. 

But, my plans were completely shaken in April.

It was only by God's hand that I could leave a job that I was just that passionate about.

It could only be His doing for my world to be competely turned upside down.

At the time, it was hard to see how God could have a plan in the brokenness and the mess of the great loss of my job. The promises of Isaiah 43 were spoken to me soon after this radical change — but they were hard to believe.

I knew God was doing something new. But I didn't have the faith that it could be good.

The past few weeks have been absolutely paramount to my walk with God. It was at Training Camp for The World Race that I realized that I am exactly where God wants me to be.

It was at camp, that I was able to grieve the loss of my job (and really, my identity) to finally taste joy again.

It wasn't until coming back from camp, that I finally told a dear friend that I am thankful for the loss of this past season because of the goodness and excitement of this coming season of The World Race.

It is a huge deal for me to be thankful that God has moved me to a new season — because the past four months have been ones of questioning God's provision and love because of the pain I experienced. 

I feel alive again. God is doing something new in my heart. 

He really is doing a new thing.

And I am so thankful that I am finally able to rejoice in the sufferings. 

God is stripping me of my identity so that I may rebuild my identity in Himself. He is giving me a newness of life and purpose.

I never thought I would say this, but I now can with great joy and freedom ::

I rejoice in the loss of my job so that I may embrace this new season of The World Race. 

For it is He who is making me new. 

Amen.
 

Beth, Shayna and I representing the incredible "L Squad" at World Race Training Camp