August 26, 2008

Seeking Direction

So I am going to graduate soon and have no idea what is next for me. My newest issue is how we are supposed to know what is in store for our lives. If we could really see what God had in mind for us, how much would it scare us? I mean, just thinking about where I was when I graduated from high school and where I am now, it’s just so crazy how different I am!!

When I graduated I was not very social, and I was really insecure in myself. All I wanted was to go to college to have a good job. Well let me just say that it is not as easy as it sounds. I didn’t have any idea what I wanted to be or do with my life. After taking a year off of school and moving out of my parents’ house, I was no closer to figuring anything out. I wasn’t doing anything and of course I wasn't any happier doing nothing. Now I’m almost 5 years out of high school, back home with my parents, appreciating more who God made me, and I’m a year away from a degree in Communication (I found out I love talking imagine that). But I’m stuck wondering what I’m suppose to do with this new found self-concept. I mean it’s nice to know who you are and that you love something, but where does that leave you?

Well first, I have to remember that none of this changing was on my own, God’s brought me this far. I have changed a lot in 5 years and I probably have a lot more growing and changing to come. Then I have to remember that faith is all He asks for; I just have to have faith in His plan for my life. So that leaves me stepping out on this faith while praying that He reveals what’s next. But I guess that is the whole idea of the Christian life; take one step on faith toward God and He’ll reveal your next. There is this awesome illustration a pastor once said about the Christian life, he said, “the Christian life is like a game of checkers—you make one move and then God makes His.” If I’m making a move toward Him, He’s moving closer to me as well.

Isn’t that what Abraham did on a daily basis? Abraham looked up to God and took one step and God, in turn, revealed the next. He had no clue where God was taking him but he left his home just as God commanded. He was willing to sacrifice his son, even though God had promised to bless him through Isaac. Talk about FAITH! I think that’s the funniest thing about God; He knows that we’ll obey, but sometimes, until we make that big gesture of commitment, we don’t really know what our reaction will be. I know you’re thinking what is she talking about but hang on for a minute. You see, God doesn’t make our decisions but He knows them right—well if He knew that Abraham would obey Him then why make him suffer with the idea that he would have to kill his own son? One of God’s goals was to show Abraham that he would obey Him, no matter what the command. Abraham’s big gesture was his willingness to kill Isaac. God had no intention of making him go through with it, but how else would Abraham have known the true desire of his heart, which was to follow God no matter the cost. Sometimes we need to be reminded that given any circumstance, our desire to follow God will outweigh all others. Plus we know that God always provides aka the lamb for sacrifice instead of Isaac.

All of this to say, I’m left stepping out on faith keeping in mind that God always provides for His children. I don’t know where I’ll be 5 years from now, but it is comforting to know that He’s got it all planned out, all I have to do is trust that He’s going to reveal it all in His time.

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