Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
~Proverbs 3:5-6
I’ve learned a lot lately about God’s faithfulness. It’s been a great past couple of weeks, and I’ve just been absolutely amazed by what God has done. Let me give you a little bit of backstory:
I’ve spent a good part of the last year preparing to go off to college this fall. It’s been a hectic journey, and I’ve faced some pretty tough choices. To make a long story short, I decided back in June not to go to the one school I’d applied to. It was a hard thing to do, because I’d had my heart set on it. But I just felt like God was telling me that he wanted me somewhere else. And so I applied to Ozark Christian College, three hours closer to home, and half as expensive. After making that decision, I was pushing full steam ahead to make sure everything was done before move in, August 15th. While in the (fairly lengthy) process of researching school scholarships, grants and loans, I found that if I did indeed enroll this fall, I would probably graduate with about $30,000 of debt, but if I waited a year, there was a possibility I could graduate debt-free. So there I was again, saying, “God, what is it you want me to be doing? I’m pretty sure it doesn’t involve me being in school.”
So, that’s the backstory. I’d make a plan, and then I’d feel God say “not yet.” So I’d make another plan, and then I’d hear “not that either.”
It’s an interesting feeling knowing that you shouldn’t go through with your own plans, but not knowing what you are supposed to do instead. Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait too long. I got an email about a month ago detailing a job possibility that would require one year of service, would pay pretty well, and would certify and train me so that it will be considerably easier to get a job once in school in a new city. I got the job. Then I got another email from a company that I applied to last year, asking if I was still available for a few hours a week. So now I have two jobs! I am so excited, and totally overwhelmed!
I can see now what I couldn’t see even a few months ago: This is where I am supposed to be for now. Life is such an amazing gift, and I am so glad that I do not have to navigate it alone. I know that God will take me where he wants me to be, and that his plans are infinitely more colorful and bright and amazing than anything I could ever dream up. I love that.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
~ Romans 15:13
