So lately I'm finding myself faced with the challenge of choices. With the stress of college (among other things) I'm having to constantly remind myself to trust in God for everything. The problem is, how do I know that it truely is God, and not my own heart's desires? And is it just in my nature to worry about it? Because personally, worrying just comes naturally which stinks. But last night we were talking aobut it at biblestudy, and my friend Coleen brought an excellent verse to my attention after we were done. So if anyone else is going through this (which I know all those seniors are doing this right now), here is a verse to ponder and find some "peace" in: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD," -Jeremiah 29:11-14 1/2 Hope you all have a good week!
So, basically this one has to do with the one about change (which, if you haven't read it yet, read it and then read this one....) So when we think of change, what is the first thing that we think of? Do we think of people changing, or the things around us changing, or do we immediately think that something drastic is happening? I tend to think of people, either leaving or coming. I've dealt with it a lot, and although all the changes happen, I'm beginning to see that God wouldn't allow it to happen unless a "greater good" was going to come out of it. And reguardless of what changes take place in our environment, God stays constant. James 1:17 says "Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow." So really, although all the things around us change eventually, God is always going to be the same loving, compassionate God that he has been since the beginning of time.
But what about people that change our lives, and then leave? What are we supposed to do once their gone, just forget about them and move on? If they've made such a huge impact on our lives, and the potential is still there not only to grow and learn from them, but to grow and learn with them, couldn't we almost consider it a misfortune or a bad thing if they leave? We as humans and as followers of Christ have so much potential to learn and grow from each other, that if the trail is broken because people go their separate ways, how can we continue the journey in the same way?
So, as senior year is starting to fly by and college apps. open in about 14 days, I'm beginning to ask myself, why? Why are we here? I mean, I know we're here for the sole purpose of serving God, and for glorifying Him in all we do. But does that mean that it doesn't really matter what profession we go into? Obviously we're not going to do any of the off the wall stuff to serve God, but does it really matter? And how do we know we're doing the right thing? How do we distinguish God's voice from our own? Essentially, in the end, I think that none of it really matters. In Luke 12:7 it says "And the very hairs on your head are numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole floch of sparrows." (NLT) So, should I take that to mean that it really doesn't matter what we do with our profession, our life, as long as we're following God?
And then that same question just keeps creeping up; How do we distinguish between God's voice and our own heart's desires?
Ok, so this week, (actually mainly today) I've been dealing with change...not a new concept to me, but one that still hurts every time. So I decided to look up some stuff, and actually I like what I found. Some change is for the good, and some is for the bad. But all of it is how God wants it. Psalm 103:15-18 says "Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. the wind blows, and we are gone-as though we have never been here. But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him His salvation extends to the children's children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandment." So people live and die, that's a given. We can't have someone here forever, and when we take them for granted, thats the big problem. But I like the wind analogy that David uses here. "the wind blows and we are gone as though we have never been here" Thats the one thats so hard to accept for me. I hate having someone here and then walk away, but I'm learning that maybe God has a much bigger plan; like maybe although it seems like we're losing them, there is really a bigger plan for both of them. I dont know, I'm just making an observation. But coudl that be true? I mean, change is somethign that everyone has to go through at one point or another, but I'm sure i'm not alone when I say that I'm not alone. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 talks about how there is a season for all things (which I think refers to change) "For everything there is a seson, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to harvest . A time to kill and a time to heal, A time to tear down and a time to build up. a time to cry and a time to laugh, A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A tim to tear and a time to mend A time to quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace." So basically, when I sum up the significance of that passage, I see that when there is a change, whether significant or insignificant, maybe this was written in order to show people that there really is a reason why change takes place. I mean, basically, there is an example of every change that occurs really. So are these changes in life right now good or bad?
