Usually I dread the return to school, the start of a new semester, and honestly, having to deal with new professors. As an engineering student, a new semester means another 4 months of minimal sleep. It means I will be doing very little in terms of recreation outside of the classroom. One of my new professors actually finished his introduction by announcing that his course is a “sufferfest” and a true test of mental stability; not exactly a great opening, right?
But things are a little different this semester; I’m excited.
I’m excited to see what happens. I’m excited to be in classrooms with people I’ve come to know fairly well. I’m excited to continue working towards my degree (one day!). I’m excited to be working with an awesome youth group, full of great people who are always encouraging. I’m excited to be taking a design class where I’ll be working with a team to build a robot (which some company’s human resources staff will likely refer to as “cute” in a future interview). I’m excited for the friends that are getting married, the friends that are having children, and the friends that will be graduating. I’m excited to be growing closer to God. I’m excited for the adventure that lies ahead this summer in Puerto Rico, and I pray that God uses me however he sees fit. I’m excited about all the possibilities.
That’s a long list of excitement…I didn’t realize I was so optimistic!
Along with the excitement for the future and all the possibilities, there is also some trepidation. I have several challenging courses, some of which are educating me on topics that will affect lives in the future. I have money to be raising towards a mission trip. I have a lot going on with family. I have friends that are struggling in different ways. I have people I need to be reaching out to. I should be applying for this, that, and the other. When I graduate in approximately 1.5 years, I am unsure what direction I want to go in.
There are plenty of struggles; there are plenty of areas of uncertainty.
But God is faithful. God is compassionate. God is sovereign. God is with us.
There is no greater assurance in any situation, in any circumstance, than to know that God is with me. Not only is He with me, but He won’t leave for any reason. He is steadfast in being God. He won’t leave me when I mess up, when I don’t know what to do, or when I outright fail miserably. He won’t leave me when things are going great. He won’t leave me. I know that He has a plan in everything that happens. I know that He will use my weakness to make His strength known. He is an awesome God who keeps His promises.
Our brokenness can draw us to Him and give us testimony to His greatness.
Our emptiness can be filled with His purpose, His love, and with His spirit.
In our loneliness, His presence can be made known.
My prayer is that in this new year, God’s strength will be made known in my weakness. My prayer is that I won’t be anxious about anything, but rather rest in the fact that He is in control. My prayer is that I will know that He purposes situations to His glory even when I can’t understand. My prayer is that I will be able to introduce people to Jesus. My prayer is that God’s grace will come alive to someone around me. My prayer is that I will live with purpose, knowing that nothing is impossible. My prayer is that the everlasting joy I have in Him will trump any trial or hardship that comes my way.
Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.
Proverbs 4:25-26
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6
My desire for 2014 is that I won’t dread what lies ahead. My prayer is that I remain excited for the future, for every circumstance, knowing that God is with me (and that will never change). #LETMEINTRODUCEYOU
#LETMEINTRODUCEYOU 