The Time Has Come

Your best friend just called you and told you she has a million dollars somewhere. She is hiding somewhere in your town, and as soon as you find her, you can have the money. What do you do? I'm going to assume that you're like me and begin running around town. In your mind, you run through the list of every place your friend could be, going first to the most likely location.

To most of us, this seems like a no brainer. If all it takes to win such a prize is finding your best friend, why not?

But guess what!

There's a far better prize out there! All it takes to receive the prize is searching. In everyday life, God is the best friend calling out to you. When we seek Him, He promises amazing things. He promises that all the things we would otherwise be seeking such as a car, a relationship, money, or whatever else you can think of will be given to us. Then He promises that we'll find Him! (I'd say that's way better than a million dollars!) Plus, we get to do something for Him in the process. We allow Him to spend time with us. Then, when we're done, and we go out into our world, we are so full of Him that we bring other people into His kingdom! Is that cool or what? Then why don't we all search for Him?

I know that in my life, time is a big issue. I have so much going on all the time. I'm either in class, doing homework, doing something with Chi Alpha (when I'm at school, otherwise church fills that time), or running around with friends, with an occasional chore thrown in the mix. Another problem I tend to face is exhaustion. With my busy schedule, by the time I get back to my room and don't have homework, all I want to do is watch a movie or chat on Facebook. Or, even better, sleep!

However, as my first year of college has passed by, I have realized something. That stuff is not important. First of all, spending time with God is way better. Second, just like He promised, I have time for my busy schedule and relaxation when I find Him. Third, and most importantly, God should always come first. Even if what you're doing is something He wants you to do, if it takes His place as first priority in your life, if everything else revolves around that work and not Him, it's just not going to work. Even if you think it's His work, if He's not part of your life, He's not part of the work either. It would be so much more effective if you just included Him in the planning and execution.

So, although I'm going to be in class in 20 minutes, guess what. I'm going to be making sure I include God. (After all, He did tell me which majors to pursue.) I'm going to seek Him.

Why don't you join me? Why don't you seek God and let Him put everything else in order? And while you're at it, lead other people to Him by following Him yourself.

While I Wait

We've all been there. We're stuck waiting in a long line that seems to never end. Most of us spend the time tapping our foot, complaining, rolling our eyes, you name it. Sometimes, waiting even becomes so unbearable that we push forward to the front of the line, cutting off other people. I'm not gonna lie. Unless I have a friend in line to distract me with more meaningful conversation, I do it too. It just seems to be a part of the whole waiting process.

But picture this. You're waiting in line. You have things to do. You have in line with you the necessary means to do everything you need to get done right away. (Remember, this is just a picture, but with modern technology, it's probably extremely possible.) And instead of doing what most people in this extremely long line are doing, you wait patiently - even though what waits at the end of the line seems better than the things you can get done in line, even though it would be so much easier to just start complaining and trying to rush things that just can't be rushed.

Okay, so if you're like me, you are totally thinking, "Yeah right!" Sometimes (alright, most times), it isn't easy to wait patiently, even if you can find a way to be productive or have fun while you're waiting.

However, that is exactly what God asks us to do. He's totally cool with us looking forward to what He has in store for us, but He doesn't want it to become distracting. He wants us to enjoy what He has given us now and complete the tasks He has for us at this moment.

I'm one of those people that just doesn't like to wait. And when I do decide to wait I'm always trying to rush things. If I'm not imagining and planning out my entire future (which I should know by now won't be how it turns out anyway) then I'm doing whatever is in my power to execute those dreams and plans - on most days. On the very good days, I remember that God is in control and let Him take care of it (by praying and asking Him to hurry up and get me to what He has planned).

I had a rough day a few weeks back when I was seriously doubting God's plans. To me, it seemed like every time I said, "Alright, God, here's my dreams. You really do have control. Work them out the way You want," the things that I thought His plans include fall apart. That day was probably the only day I have ever blamed God for something that seemed to go wrong in my life, and once I realized that's what I was doing, I knew there was a problem.

Thankfully, my answer was prayer (which turned out to be the correct option as usual). God reminded me of a song from one of my favorite movies - "While I'm Waiting" by John Waller. For it being one of my favorite parts of that movie, it sure took a long time for me to figure out what is being said in the lyrics of that song. As I listened to the song on YouTube, I realized what God means when He asks us to wait.

I used to think waiting meant not trying to run ahead in line. I thought I could be as impatient as I wanted as long as I didn't try to make things happen faster than God's plan. Now, I know otherwise. To God, waiting on His timing means doing what He wants me to do now. When God tells me to wait, what He's really saying is, "Serve me in this season of your life. Worship me for what I have given you now." His plan is step-by-step. Until we follow His most recent direction, He won't show us the next part of the map.

So, that day of doubt turned into one of my greatest moments of trust. I decided to really let God be in control. Instead of trying to figure out His plans before He wants me to, I'm going to complete today's tasks. I'm going to reach out to people like never before. I don't want to miss any of today's opportunities. I don't want to put off my fairy tale ending by trying to rush it instead of taking it one step at a time. If it's given me peace in one area of my life, I think it's time to apply it to every area.

Now, back to the picture I created earlier of someone waiting in line. Are you going to be someone who tries to force your end result to come sooner than it is supposed to? Are you going to be the one who waits but does so in a way that you get nothing done and aren't really ready for the end result? Or are you going to be the one who waits patiently? If I were you, I'd go with running your race the way God has planned for you. Know beyond all shadow of a doubt that He has things figured out. Move ahead at an obedient pace, and serve Him while you're at it.

God is Writing

Everywhere I go, I hear it spoken of in song. (But I guess I can’t really complain since I subject myself to Taylor Swift’s wonderful music.) I see it portrayed in movies. I read about it in books. It’s love stories. They are EVERYWHERE.

From the time we are little, girls are fed stories like this. Every single Disney princess movie has a girl, whether common or royal, who finds her prince. It’s a part of our childhood, and as a result, it becomes a part of who we are. Not that I’m attacking this. In fact, I quite enjoy these love stories that surround me (even if watching chick flicks does get a little annoying at times).

But as a nineteen-year-old who has never had a boyfriend, let alone a date, I’ve noticed something. These fairytales become so much a part of who we are, that a lot of girls focus too much on it (not all but quite a few). I am one of these. For years, I have looked for a boyfriend. So much so that until recently, it would almost seem my whole life focused on getting one. Because quite frankly, it did. More than anything, I wanted to write a love story. Not going to lie, that’s a very difficult thing to do without a male lead. So I was determined to find someone to fill that role.

However, the past two years or so have created a change. (It’s definitely not complete, but it’s there.)

If you happen to meet me now, one of the first things you’re going to find out about me is that I LOVE GOD! Everything about Him amazes me! He is a protective Father who provides me with everything I need. He is my best friend no matter what life throws at me. And more than all of that, He is totally and completely, head over heels in love with ME!

He is so in love with me that He died to save me (and rose again so I could actually be with Him). He is so in love with me that while I was busy trying to write my love story with the man of my dreams (whoever that is), He was waiting patiently for me, preparing a place in my heart for Himself.

It’s not that He wants me to be single forever. It’s not that at all. In fact, He has a plan for me, but now is not the time for me to write it. Now is the time for me to write my love story with Him. He asks me to be His bride, to accept His love and return as much of it as I can. He asks me to delight myself in Him.

In return, He is going to write me a love story that I could never imagine. My prince charming will be better than I can imagine if I only let God prepare Him. And better yet, I won’t have to do a thing. God will direct Him to me at the exact right time.

So, even though it’s hard, I’m going to keep on waiting. While I write my love story with God, I’ll just keep reminding myself, “God is writing my love story.”

Who Am I?

Somewhere in all of us, there is something telling us that we cannot complete everything we are called to do. It may not surface often, but it is there.


Recently, I have asked God, "Why me?" What He has called me to do, seems like it would be so much better suited to someone else. I am thrilled with the call and cannot wait to live it out, but I still do not understand why He chose me. An intimate relationship with Him is new to me. Never once have I led someone in the prayer of salvation. Going up to random people and talking about God is brand new to me.

This question is something I have never asked before the last few weeks. These are statements I have made but never in reference to my calling.

However, Sunday night, my pastor said something that answered my question and refuted my arguments. He told the church, "We are looking at what we're not, but God is looking at what we are."

God sees me for who I am and who I am becoming. He does not see who have been (apparently including the fact that I missed a flight in the past, since He is asking me to go to a whole new continent). Sure, my intimate relationship with Him is fairly new, but at least I have one. Just because I have never led the prayer of salvation, does not mean I have not been there for it. It does not mean I do not know how to lead it. It just means I have not led it. It may be new for me to speak to random people, but at least I am willing to answer when God tells me to speak to them.

In short, God sees willingness. He sees compassion. He sees my final destination. He sees the road I am taking to get there. It is almost as if when I move forward on that road, the road behind me disappears. He takes the place I am and makes that my new starting point.

So, if you ever find yourself asking why God would choose you, remember that He sees what you are and not everything you are not. The simple answer to "Why me?" is that He chose you. If He chose you, you have what it takes or you will by the time you get to what He has called you to. Just remember that God does not make mistakes and He always provides a way for you to do what He has called you to do. Just trust Him, accept your call, and step out. You might find out something you are that you never would have believed you were.

Send Me

What do the lyrics of the Mercy Me song, "Here Am I," an internship program in London, and a few church services have in common? It just might be God's way of letting you know you're called to go across the world.

Since coming to college, I have changed a lot. At least I think so. It may just be the culmination of a process I've been in the middle of for several years now. Either way, I'm more outgoing than ever, I'm looking into things I never thought I would be interested in, and I like it. Sometimes the change shocks me; sometimes it yanks me out of my comfort zone; sometimes it's just something I didn't expect. No matter what it is, it's different and it's exciting.

One of these changes I have noticed is that I was suddenly interested in studying abroad. I'm going to be completely honest, until I got here, I was dead set against going half way across the world from everything I've ever known for a full semester or even a few weeks over the summer. However, it now seems like an amazing opportunity and an easy way to fulfill my desire to travel to Europe.

But I'm not one to make a decision like this easily. It costs money to study abroad. I have friends and family back home I would like to see more than a few weeks out of the year. Just because it sounds cool, doesn't mean it's a good idea. But is it being a good idea what's really important? Maybe I should be more concerned with if it is God's idea. Cue praying...

When I pray, I expect an answer. Normally, I get my answer from the Bible, so I start looking for parts of the Bible that will relate to what I'm praying about.  So... I start asking God if He wants me to study abroad, and as a result start thinking, "What on earth could I read in the Bible that has to do with an internship or an exchange program in London?" The first thing to come to my mind - Matthew 28:19 (the Great Commission for those of you who don't know). "Ok, God. Is that really my answer? Surely not."

As if that wasn't enough, I went to church last Sunday (as usual). Well, the service was not usual. The church I was at just so happened to be continuing their mission convention for the year. This Sunday's guest speaker - a missionary from Europe. Followed by a song that asks God to send us into the world. "Alright, God. I get it. I'm supposed to go." As if that wasn't enough, He had to go and remind me that I've been asking Him to "send me" ever since I learned the song "Here Am I." (Thanks, Mercy Me.) 

Then, Tuesday night, He had to go even further. I was at Chi Alpha worship service, eager to hear our guest speaker for the night. Guess what. He was a missionary from the UK. "I get it, God. I'm going." 

But still not wanting to rush into it because of emotional reactions to all the changes in my life and the services I'd been at, I was just going to keep praying because, as my pastor likes to say, "If it's God today, it'll be God tomorrow." So yesterday, I'm reading my Bible and this verse stands out to me. I finish reading the chapter and go back to think about the verse some more. Looking at what I had highlighted, I realize what it says. "Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God." The first word is yes. It's decided. I'm going abroad, not just as a student or intern, but as a missionary.

I've told this story to say this. If you're at a new stage in life, accept it. It'll bring changes, but God is working through those changes. Branch out. Step out in faith and let God show you where He wants to take you. 

Oh, and just a word of advice. When you're singing a song, particularly a Christian song, be careful what you're singing. It just might be a prayer God will answer, whether you want the answer or not. (But it's normally a good answer, so I suggest singing it anyway.)