the title of this entry seems like an understatement. every part of my life reminds me of the word transition. my job is ending in two months, my living situation is temporary, my friendships are changing, and the list goes on. i do have consistency, but that does not make it easy. i must face it, i am in a time of transition. this is why i have told many people that transition is something you cannot teach or really prepare for because it is different for everyone.
so what am i learning during this transition? i am blessed. even though it might not always "feel" that way. Jesus is never going to leave or forsake me. fixing my eyes on Him is how i am going through this awkward, unknown stage of life. God reminds me daily that life is hard, but so good because He is always there. i saw a note i took during a sermon i heard during my spring break trip. it was a good reminder since i am always wanting to know what is next...
i have a lot of questions about my life, especially about the future. but you know what...that is okay. GOD IS PEACE, REST, BEAUTY, STRENGTH, GRACE, MERCY, LOVE, AND LIFE.
He is worthy of my attention. He is my clarity. He is my sanity.
ps. listen to this song. it is truth we can proclaim.
changes are happening. the colors of the leaves are becoming bright oranges and deep reds. students are spending more time doing homework because midterms are near. seven people i know got engaged within the past week. two dear friends of mine are in other countries. my brother got on a plane for europe today. and the list goes on.
throughout the changes, there are things that are the same. almost every college student i ask how they are doing still answers good or busy. i still am asked a few times a week what i will do after graduation and i still say i am not sure because there are so many possibilities. the Lord continues to bless me with free meals a few times a week. and i am still amazed at how much i am learning (not necessarily in my classes).
the biggest thing that i see being consistent is the Lord's faithfulness. i need to remind myself of this daily because of the hurt i see or hear about, worries and stress that comes, questions i have about the future, and discouragement i get from what i see in our society.
i have been reading the book of Matthew the past few days and one of the major themes i see in the book is faith. the word is used many times from Jesus saying to one of His disciples, "O you of little faith, why do you doubt," to Jesus saying, "And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."
Jesus is saying all throughout Matthew that faith is important and we need it to live for Him. This is something I would like to work on. I encourage you to do the same. Next time you doubt yourself or God, or a situation arises that is stressful, or you are discouraged by things going on around you, PUT YOUR FAITH IN JESUS. He is more faithful than you could every imagine. When you do this, your eyes will be opened to a new way of living. It is something I am experiencing right now. Yes it is hard, but the reward is incredible.
"The kingdom of heavenis like TREASURE hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine PEARLS, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it." -Matthew 13:44-46.
My prayer is as I am learning what it means to put my faith and hope in Jesus Christ, you will too. Talk it out with God and then with a friend. Read the Word, you will see countless times that God is faithful to His children.
Things are changing. I am realizing this now that my roommate from freshmen year is now married, this could be my last summer at home, and my close friend is in Malawi (something we talked about wanting to do years ago). Despite the changes in life, God NEVER changes. He is constant- an all consuming fire that is jealous for us. My God is infinite, powerful, and full of grace.
As I am reading The Knowledge of the Holy, I am learning so much about the nature of God. Today's chapter was The Immutability of God. God will always be the same divine, holy, loving God that He always has been. Humans, including myself, change their mind and attitude about things every day, but God does not. A.W. Tozer says, "God never changes moods or cools off in His affections or loses enthusiasm. His attitude toward sin is now the same as it was when He drove out the sinful man from the eastward garden, and His attitude toward the sinner the same as when He stretched forth His hand and cried, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Wow. God has always hated sin and loved His creation. It is also an AWEsome thing to know that, "Today, this moment, He feels toward His creatures, toward babies, toward the sick, the fallen, the sinful, exactly as He did when He sent His only-begotten Son into the world to die for mankind."
When Jesus came to die for ours sins, that was an act of love. That same love is given to us today! Praise the Lord.
