So it’s almost the end of April now and the 8 months since I was accepted have flown by! And let me tell you, life doesn’t slow down or wait for anything. As I watch all of the freshman with their purple backpacks flowing into campus for orientation, I can still remember like it was yesterday what that time felt like for me. I was moving out of my parent’s house and into my own place for the first time ever and now I’m in my last two weeks of school and about to leave the country for a whole year for the first time ever. WHAT!
For those who don’t know me, this isn’t as easy as it sounds. This is a HUGE transition. It may seem like I have all of my emotions under control, but on the inside I’m slightly freaking out. I am a Baton Rouge girl and have never left this place. I went to the same school from kindergarten until 12th grade, where afterwards almost my entire graduating class went to LSU. I lived with my best friend freshman year and was a 20 minute drive from my parent’s house. So while I have had to deal with minor transitions, nothing compares to losing every single one of my comforts all at once and not ever having life be this way again. Friends are going off to grad school, getting jobs, couples are getting married and having kids, family members are getting sick. This may seem sad, but it’s true. This is a season of transitions.
“Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
Jesus speaks to me in dreams and He gave me one the other night that was a huge eye opener for me. It was one of those dreams that seemed to go on all night and felt so real. I woke up remembering every detail and could not stop from crying. The message was simple though, Jesus is my constant and I need only to rely on Him. He showed me that while it may be good for now to have a close relationship with friends and family, I shouldn’t be dependent on them. Now don’t get me wrong, I still go to my friends and family with everything and they support and encourage me in such amazing ways; but am I turning to Jesus too?
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
It’s so easy to quickly call a friend or run to my parents when something goes wrong in life or I need advice, but my friends and family won’t be as easily accessible next year. What happens when I don’t have wifi or don’t want to talk to a squad mate because they just don’t know me well enough yet? What do I do when I’m in a foreign country, things are constantly changing, and I don’t know what we’ll be doing week from week or month from month yet? I think I’m being equipped right now for the transitions that lie ahead. I am being taught that Jesus is always there and even when everything around me feels unstable and unsure, He is my Rock and my constant. He doesn’t want to just be someone I occasionally turn to when I’m in trouble. He wants to be my friend, my Father, my lover, my everything. He doesn’t just want a portion of my heart, He wants all of it. Our God is a jealous God.
“For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” Deuteronomy 4:24
Even though graduation is quickly approaching and I feel as though I’m losing everything and everyone, I have to trust His will on my life. He has confirmed me over and over again that I am supposed to go on this trip and I just have to follow where He leads me.
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of age.” Matthew 28:20
Maybe you’re going through a season of transitions as well. Maybe you’ve lost your job or are changing jobs. Maybe you’re just trying to find a job. Maybe you just got married or just broke up with a boyfriend/girlfriend. Maybe you’re moving away from home or have just lost a loved one. Whatever it may be, know that while life may seem like a hurricane, Jesus is the calm to your storm. We never have to worry or be afraid.
“Do not tremble and do not be afraid; Have I not long since announced it to you and declared it? And you are My witnesses. Is there any God besides Me, Or is there any other Rock? I know of none.” Isaiah 44:8
What transition are you going through?
What are you most fearful of?
What do you need to trust God with?
Remember, He’s got you. He always has and always will.
