Finish the sentence… In my 20’s, I plan on accomplishing __________? What words are in that statement for you? If you asked me this question, when I was 18, I would have answered it much differently. Even a few years ago, my answers would be different from today. Thinking back, I saw myself graduated from college, in a career I love, somewhat financially stable, fit & healthy, in a lasting relationship if not already engaged, and thinking about a future with that person, maybe even kids shortly after marriage. If only I could go back in time and foreshadow the future to my 18 year old self.
The American culture is a pretty touch place to grow up in these days. Don’t get me wrong we are BEYOND blessed by what we have. While most of us aren’t worried about where we are going to get fresh water or food tomorrow, we are experiencing a different type of battle. The battle to conform to the world around us. To be like the next person. To live the “typical” American dream.
First, we experience an immense amount of pressure from the media, magazines, commericals, TV, social media, tabloids, celebrities ect. Our poor minds are battered with images where women appear to be size 2 with no wrinkles, perfect skin, flat abs, and a toned body (thanks Photoshop). While they don’t outright ask us to look this way, there is a constant pressure to conform to this look because our culture is to always have the next best thing. When is the last time that you looked over at the person sitting next to you and thought “man, I wish I had their ______??” (body, hair, smile, purse, shoes, dog, boyfriend, ring, ect.) I personally struggle with this every day. My whole life I have wanted to be skinnier. I dreamed of having a perfectly toned beach body. I did the fad diets. My weight yo-yo’d up and down. I tried the exercise thing wasting a lot of money on gym memberships. I allowed men to make me believe that I needed to change my body in order for them to love me which in turn severely hurt my self image. I did all of this over and over again, and yet, nothing ever changed. The number on the scale remained the same overall. Who was I trying to be and why?
Second, we are told about this imaginary timeline of how life should be. The American dream we shall call it. Kind of like the riddle “First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in the baby carriage”. Basically, I would go to high school, graduate, move on to college and graduate as well. Then I expected to have a well paying career that I enjoyed. I was going to hopefully be on my way to being in a secure, lasting relationship with potential for marriage & finally getting those 3.5 kids and the white picket fence. Most every girl dreams right? Now that I am 26, this probably has to be the biggest conformity that I am faced with right now. I want to be married and I want children so badly. Not saying tomorrow but in the near future. While I am so happy to be surrounded by so many of my close friends taking this next step and walking down the aisle to their forever after, I can’t help but be a little jealous. I wish them nothing but happiness honestly but every single girl out there knows what I am talking about. Gosh, what I wouldn’t give to be in their shoes and make my dreams a reality. After each failed relationship, you can’t help but question “What’s wrong with me? What does she have that I don’t? Did I do something to chase him away?” I go to blaming myself and thinking that what I have to offer may not be enough. Maybe I will turn out to be the crazy old dog lady (not a fan of cats).
As young people, we are pressured to mold our thoughts and actions to align with societies. We are expected to keep up with the pace of this life in fear of being left behind. So the question is do we conform to this earthly world or adopt God’s will and timing?
First thing to know is that God’s will is NOT our will. And God’s timing is NOT our timing as much as we would like it to be sometime. Jesus says so himself in Acts 1:7 “…”It is NOT for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.” It took me quite some time to understand this concept. God already sees the plan for my life. He knew it in its entirety when he created me. Conforming to society when it comes to the timeline of my life in turn confuses who is really in control. Do I put society in control of my life or do I allow my Maker to control how and when my life plays out?
I can tell you that in my short 26 years of life, I have lived both ways. Believe me when I say that adopting God’s will and timing is ALWAYS the better choice. When I decided to abandon control (which was REALLY hard) and leave it in his hands, amazing things started to happen. I first saw my body in a completely different light. It’s no longer this burden that I wake up to every day wondering how I am going to change it. Instead, I am thankful for this living, breathing body. God created me the way I am and who am I to try to change something that He sees as precious and sacred? Now, I view my body as a vessel. Something that needs to be well taken care of so that I may use it to proclaim the name of Jesus throughout the earth. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” Psalm 139:14 I fill it with nutritious foods (most of the time), I try to stay active through forms of exercise that I enjoy and I grow to love & value my body more and more each and every day. Second, when I embraced God’s timing and his will, I abandoned mine at the waste side. Everything I thought would/could/should happen was thrown out especially when the World Race came into the picture. I realized that God was not ready for me to settle down and get married. He is just beginning his work through me and together we are rebuilding our relationship. I have learned that I had no business being in a relationship with someone else until I, first, learned how to keep God at the center of my life. I know that God has someone hand picked for me and he has decided that now is not the time for him to walk into my life. Psalm 75:2 says “…”I choose the appointed time, it is I who judge the equity”. Sure, I still struggle with this and there are days when I feel down in the dumps about it. I still dream about it now and then. But through developing my relationship with my Father, it has taught me so much more about what I want in my husband. God has shown what he wants for me in my life partner and I am absolutely willing to wait for that person. No more settling for this girl!
So which will you choose? Conforming to this world or Adopting the heavenly Father’s precious timing?
FUNDRAISING UPDATE:
I have almost reached my first goal of $3,500 for June 12th! There are no words to express my gratitude for the love and support I have been shown. If you have not yet donated but would like to, scroll to the top of this page and click on the “Support Me” tab at the top. All donations are tax deductible and every cent raised goes to help fund my World Race! Continued prayer, support, and words of encouragement are always welcomed and please let me know how I can be praying for or encouraging you. Community is a 2 way street and I would be happy to help however I can!
