A couple weeks ago I walked across the stage with hundreds of people watching as I receive my diploma. Wow. What a ride it has been. Earning this diploma has definitely not been a walk in the park, but I can definitely look back on the past couple years and be thankful. Thankful for a season of life that stretched and grew me in ways I didn’t know I could be stretched. Like every student I had extremely low motivation at times, extremely high motivation at others, high motivation for things other than school, and an unsaid mandatory procrastination with all of my assignments. BUT, all of that is done now. This season of life is officially over.
Months ago as I sat thinking about this moment, I reflected on my college years and what the Lord has taught me. I thought about the goodness and grace that He had upon my life, even with all of the distractions. I thought about the times He used me as a kingdom worker despite the fact that I wasn’t really pursuing my relationship with Him. I thought about the adventures that He took me on, the people I met, and the lessons I learned. Through all of this thinking I came to a realization, God was using that season of life to prepare me for this next one. The lessons I learned about who God is and who I am is a direct representation of that.
I learned that I need community… Probably more than the average person. I fill my cup just sitting in the presence of other people, even if not much is said. I learned that I have a passion and drive to travel, also probably more than the average person. I learned that I am a person who is never content with my relationship with Jesus. I want more constantly, and I get frustrated when I don’t get results. I came to the harsh realization that I am a human. I’m not perfect (Or anywhere close), I’m prideful, I’m insecure, and I’m an overall broken human. This was tough to realize, but I serve a merciful God.
I came to realize that God was using all of these lessons to lead me to a point where I fully rely on Him. So months ago, as I got home from a really good day of work I did what I felt the Lord was telling me to do, despite everything great that was happening in my life. I applied for this CRAZY 11 month long mission trip to 11 different countries. I had so many mixed emotions, just as everyone does when they make a decision, but one emotion stood out above the rest. JOY. I finally did what I had been wanting to do for a while, and I felt this is exactly where the Lord wants me to be. What a cool feeling it was.
Fast forward a couple months to the present. Here I am, sitting in my room trying to fathom all of the unknowns that lie ahead of me. Things such as finances for the trip, training camp, my team, and ministry of each country seem to tower over my thoughts. This is my next move. This is where God is leading me next. This IS my next season of life, and I can’t help but have joy in knowing that this is going be a wild ride.
I look forward to the lessons He is going to teach me in this next season. I look forward to the family (Squad) that he is going to put in my life. Most of all, I look forward to getting to be sent out as HIS kingdom worker to do HIS will. I am so stoked!
