Have you ever felt stuck? Maybe physically? Mentally? Well whatever it is, it’s never a good feeling. This past semester I have felt so stuck. I was mentally and emotionally stuck. Don’t get me wrong, I was having an amazing experience in Springfield. College is such a weird/uncomfortable/fun time, and I loved it, for the most part.
I felt like I should have been thriving though. I was surrounded by the best possible people. I lived in a house with 8 Jesus-lovin girls that were always so encouraging. I was a YoungLife leader for some crazy awesome high school girls. I went to a church that I fell in love with. And I had 2 of the best friends I could have ever asked for.
Even though I was surrounded by people who had strong relationships with Jesus, mine had hit a low point. I wasn’t growing at all. If anything I was moving backwards. I just felt stuck. I felt stuck in my faith. My friendships. And stuck in Springfield.
So my question (for myself) is…. Why was I struggling so much when I was surrounded by people who loved on me so well?
Welllll I’m a big fan of the overused phrase “everything happens for a reason” because I believe it wholeheartedly.
No matter if my feelings were coming from Jesus or from the enemy, God turned them into something good. He led me to something I never thought I would do in my wildest dreams. So for those of you that have no idea what I’m talking about, here it is:
I have the opportunity to go on the World Race Gap Year starting in September of this year. I will be traveling to Costa Rica, South Africa, Thailand, and Myanmar with 60 adventurous friends. This journey will be 9 months of serving and spreading the love and joy of Jesus to the people I have the privilege of meeting along the way. There will be lots of laughter and lots of tears, and I couldn’t be more excited for it all.
Every time I tell someone why I’m no longer in school I always talk about this exciting journey that I’m so pumped for. And trust me, I am VERY excited. But what I don’t tell people is how scared I am. What I am doing is totally against social norm, and, to be honest, I think that freaks me out. I hate to admit it, but I care what people think. Sometimes the reactions I get when I tell people about The World Race aren’t exactly what I had hoped for. In those times it makes me second guess if this is what God has planned for me. It’s so cool because every fear or doubt I ever have has been crushed by scripture.
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21
Yeah, what I’m doing is crazy and against what is “normal,” but God has been constantly whispering in my ear that this is where I’m supposed to be. Our God is so faithful. It amazes me every day. I can’t wait to serve Him in a way that will test me and push me. wowza
Trusting the path Jesus has laid out for you is most definitely a very challenging thing. I’m so guilty of wanting to control my own life and make my own decisions. But following God’s plan is so much greater than the one I could have ever planned out for myself. Before I let Jesus guide me I wasn’t really living at all. I’m happy to say that I’m finally LIVING.
Now may the God of peace equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ. Hebrews 13:21
