Reflections

The school year is almost over and I'm about to finish my first year of working at an Elementary school since I graduated college in 2012. A lot has happened since then and the growth I've seen in my own life has greatly increased. The hardships, transitions, spiritual and emotional stretching has all worked out in my favor, to God be all the praise! There have certainly been quite a few ups and downs, but I'm grateful to the Lord for bringing me through it all.

As I've reflected on the new experiences, transitions and growth I realize now that God had a specific plan and purpose in mind. I still can't fully see it all just yet but I'm beginning to see how certain events ended up working together to bring about maturity, growth and intimacy with the Lord. In hindsight, I now can see the fingerprints of God upon it all.

Back in January I wrote a post called Trusting God In A Holding Pattern. At that point I had just moved to a new town and was getting used to traveling new roads. Driving was extremely confusing for a while. (Again, I will admit that I'm not great with directions but am definitely getting better.) Roads that I rarely traveled seemed to go in circles. It was hard to comprehend how they all connected to the surrounding towns and cities. It was new to me and new can also be somewhat scary and confusing. The confusion wasn't confined to driving either; spiritually I began to feel the exact same way. I felt like I was going in circles similar to that of a holding pattern. I was waiting for the day when I would better understand what the Lord was doing in my life and how He was working. Nothing was making sense. Until I could better understand where I was going and what was happening in my life at that time, trusting God was the only thing I could do. Click here to go back and read the post from January.

Life Lessons

Now that I've been living in this new town for about 6 months or so things have gotten much easier. It's not as new as before. The familiar settings have helped me to get my bearings as I drive down the once unfamiliar roads. Last week as I was driving down the highway things began to connect for me. The roads I once found extremely confusing all made sense now. The endless circles became clear and I had the confidence to drive to new places without automatically reaching for my GPS. Everything seemed to be making a whole lot more sense! I wasn't confused anymore.

Amazingly, I began to feel the same way spiritually. Things began to make more sense to me. Trusting God didn't feel like a last ditch effort in an attempt to understand what He was doing in my life; it was my life. His asking me to trust Him was a lesson in letting go of control, a lesson in gratitude and a lesson of faith. Trusting God meant letting go of my own plans that I felt like He wasn't fulfilling; it meant living in complete gratitude for every season of life He's given to me and it meant walking in faith, believing that He would work on my behalf. Trusting God meant surrendering myself to Him and allowing Him to fulfill His plans in my life. Each event I've been through these past 6-9 months has brought me closer to this place.

I still can't see everything that the Lord is doing in my life right now but that's something I'm ok with for the first time in a long time. In fact, it's a reality that all believers have to live with.

A Life Of Faith

The apostle Paul wrote:

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1 Corinthians 13:12

We won't know everything God is doing in our lives this side of eternity. That's exactly why He calls us to walk by faith. The life of the believer is a faith filled life. There are times when trusting God alone will have to suffice. Is it easy? No way! It's contrary to what we like to do best, plan control and know. Nevertheless it's necessary in order to grow spiritually and thus let God fulfill His plans for our lives.
 
How about you? Do you feel like you're in a holding pattern right now? Are you frustrated at your lack of understanding? Do you feel like God isn't hearing some of your most desperate pleas? Take heart dear friend. Know that God is working out all things for your good and He has an exact plan in mind for you. (Romans 8:28) Sometimes the trials, transitions and tests of life actually are meant to bring you closer to God rather than farther away. The silence isn't meant to be a burden but rather a blessing. Just remember this...

God sees. God knows. And He is able to do abundantly more in your life than you could ever ask for or imagine.  (Ephesians 3:20) 



Our petty global positioning systems are no match to the Omniscient GPS....

God's Positioning System!

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Changes

I wrote a post last week (click here to read) where I talked about one of the changes I dealt with in 2012. There were lots of them! And yet despite them I felt God growing me. I guess I needed it more than I could have imagined because the unusual changes, along the with usual changes that come with young adulthood have really helped me to re-prioritize, change perspective and do my best to live purposefully. The changes have also helped me to let go of control more. This is something I've struggled with my whole life!

Seeking God in Change

In hindsight, I can now see the benefits of most of the changes that occurred. But I know I'm not the only one going through change. There are many others who have lost a loved one, moved to a different country, or experienced a great trial. I'm here to tell you that God sees. Not only does He see, but He knows every single hurt, confusion, sorrow, excitement and joy that you've experienced.
Changes don't always come from God. Some change comes from other people while other changes come from the fact that we live in a world full of change. God can bring change into our lives though. Perhaps change is happening in your life right now. Whether it's from someone else, from God or from something else altogether, I encourage you to seek God with all your heart. Tell Him your fears. He will guide you.

You may feel lost and you may not like the change, but regardless of where the changes have come from God will work it out for your good if you let Him.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Growth in Change

Change provides opportunities for growth. Jesus talked about growth and bearing fruit for Him before He was crucified.

“I am the True Vine, and my Father is the Gardener. He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. “I am the Vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:1-6

 
The key to change? Abiding in Christ. This is absolutely key. While we abide in Christ, God works for our good and produces fruit in us. However, we cannot do it on our own. If you're trying to get through all these changes on your own (like I did many times) you'll feel overwhelmed, tired and burdened. But abiding in Christ lightens our load immensely and trusting in Him to work out everything for our good gives us freedom. 
  
Whatever change your experiencing, abide in Christ. He knows exactly what you're going through and He will be there for you always.

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