It’s summer time in my soul!

When I think of summer time, I think of the beach. And when I think of the beach, I think about a place of no worries. No 8am classes, no deadlines, no ice on my windshield, and no place to be. Sunlight on my face. Cold drink in my hand. Toes in the sand. For me, the beach is a vacation-a place for my heart and soul to be calm because I can wash my blues away. 

But, vacations are rare. The last time I was at the beach I found myself begging God to let me stay at His shoreline all night long…just one night! I’ll use my tent and fight off racoons with my my bug spray. (It’s 100% Deet.) Because they are so rare, we can’t just wait until summer to release our worries. We have three other seasons to deal with, people!

For instance, I have seven more months of the World Race before I even have to think about what comes next. Yet, I’m still thinking about it. Many of you know that shortly after returning from the World Race, I will begin medical school on the Caribbean island of Statia, which is basically a large volcano. Yes, the weather is dry and tropical but it’s not going to be all vacation. For me, this will be hard dedication and a huge step in my life toward the overall plan. My biggest desire is to devote my life to Jesus Christ and share His love with the world. I really don’t know all the details about my future, but who really does? At times I catch myself worrying about things I shouldn’t be worrying about; who to marry, how to make it thru medical school, where to go, where to live, etc. etc. ridiculous. etc.  You know how it works. The list can go on and on. But, you see. That’s one of my favorite aspects of God. He is all-knowing, and we aren’t. If we knew everything then we wouldn’t trust God. So, thankfully I can’t see my future but every now and then God will speak to me about it and reveal His pathway. Sometimes it is the hardest path, but it’s always worth it. Now, I have this scripture for you. It is kinda long, but it has always helped me so read it! Now! Hehe. Just kidding. But, if you worry a lot, you should post this on your mirror or something. I figure the more we worry, the less peace we have, and the less joy. Who doesn’t want more joy in their life?

25“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life^b? 28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6: 25-33)

The race is helping me not to worry so much about these things that God is talking about such as food and clothes. For instance, in Albania I have $2/ meal, and in previous months it has been a lot less than that. I haven’t starved yet. Trust me, I haven’t lost an ounce of weight. And, I have to fit all my clothes in one backpack. Sure, I am very tired of my wardrobe but at least I know I have clothes. God is helping me not to worry so much about how I look on the outside, and to instead put all that energy into focusing on what I look like on the inside. Most days I don’t wear much make-up, if any at all. This is difficult in Europe, where everyone else is always fashionable and beautiful. God told me He thinks I’m very pretty, though.

Also, since doing evangelism work with Campus Crusades, God has refreshened my passion for initiating discussions about the gospel and sharing my personal testimony with strangers. Instead of worrying about my future, I’ve been praying about it. While talking to God, I discovered an exciting plan that God has for me! Our talk looked something like this:

 

 Be still my soul, be still.