We live in a society that expects so much of us. For example, after high school is college, after college you get a job and somewhere in the mix you get married and start a family. But what happens to those who don’t follow that mold?
After graduating college, many were expecting me to jump into a job and start earning money because that was the safe and logical thing to do, but I’ve known for a while, the norm wasn’t for me. My race journey has been a roller coaster thus far. God has shown up in mighty ways, He’s given me people that light up my world and fill my heart with so much joy. I’ve had really good days, and some not so good days but whatever the day may look like, He’s never left my side.
This summer has been a whirlwind, I’ve spent more time on airplanes, in hotels and living out of a suitcase than at home. This last trip gave me a lot of anxiety; I would be out of touch with my supporters and wouldn’t have any control of things back home. Something that I have been working on since applying for the race has been control, letting go and letting God work.
However, my good and gracious God never left my side during those weeks away. Deuteronomy 31:8 says “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you”… And that is exactly what He did. From the moment I left, He was at work, preparing my heart for what He has in store for the next chapter of my life. During those weeks, He gave me situations that would test not only my patience but my strength, opportunities to share His word and plant seeds, and time alone to reflect on everything unfolding in my life. These last three weeks, I was reminded that it’s okay to be living a life outside the norm.
When God is trying to teach me something, it usually ends up happening through an event in my life and yet again, that’s what he used. My brother and I spent time on a high ropes course while in Switzerland. During this course, I was presented with obstacles, followed by a zip line to the next obstacle; getting more challenging and farther apart as the course continued. I had pretty much faced my fear of being 100 feet in the air, my main focus was completing the course and getting back to solid ground. I was almost done, until I reached the third to last obstacle and I got stuck. The easiest way to describe it was multiple height and width logs that you had to walk across to get to the next platform while any amount of pressure, made them spin. I had made it across three logs before I lost balance and fell. With a baseball size bruise immediately forming, I was in pain, I started crying. I wanted to quit, I wanted to get down. I was done. My arms were shaking and my hands were blistered, but there was nothing I could do. Once you started, you had to finish. So I hung there, with my eyes closed and prayed. Peace came over me and I was reassured that even when I think I have nothing left, there is always more. After a few minutes hanging there, I muscled up the strength to not only finish the obstacle but the course. After my feet were comfortably on solid ground it hit me: we tend to go through life relying on our own strength, our own power and our own control. But in that moment, dangling above the ground, I realized it’s who we put our strength in that matters the most, and at that moment I had no choice but to rely on His strength, because my own had failed me.
So what happens to those who don’t follow the norm?
Even though the path of life I am walking down isn’t the norm, I have never been happier and more content with where my life is going.
When I signed up for this, I knew it would be a journey; but I had NO idea God would show up in the way He has. He has changed my perception on life, He has softened my heart and given me the ability to let go of things I cannot control. I have three more months to continue to surrender my control and prepare for this next chapter of my life. I am truly thankful for your continued prayers and support. I know I say that a lot, but if I was relying on my own strength, I would be nowhere near the woman I am today. THANK YOU!!
Although my life, isn’t playing out how society tells me it should, I know I’ll always have more because I have Christ in me.
Peace and Blessings,
Kristen
“I wait expectantly, trusting God to help, for he has promised” (Psalm 130:5)
