Monday, February 10, 2014

Decisions, Decisions...

 
 
 
 
With graduation planning beginning to liven things up and the few credits I've been working on slowly winding to completion, there comes questions. Lots and lots of them. The kind that come from friends, extended relations and, hardest of all, the ones that roll over and over in my mind. All of them beg to know:

"What are you going to do with your life?"

For the other girls who might be going through this "deciding time," (or who are going to be in a couple years) I just wanted to encourage you a bit.

It's hard to know what to do, isn't it? Options are everywhere (College...No college. Teaching...Nursing. Librarian...Musician) wide and varied they stretch before you. The choice is all yours, but there are a million voices and opinions. Who do you listen to? What do you choose?

In my world, there's a big push for college...college...college. In general the very subject of college is a tricky one that can cause major dissension. Some people avoid it like the plague and look down on those who go, while others promote it to ridiculous heights and disdain the ones who choose other paths.

I've decided the real question is not "To go, or not to go..." but rather "What is my life's calling? What does God want me to do right now."

I have no clue what God wants for you. Your peers don't either. This is one of those things that you need to hash out with Him. In reality, it's not what your friends think - or, quite frankly, what your family thinks.  It's not even about a paycheck. God created you with your gifts, your weakness, your passions. He put you in your family, your town and your state.

You have a purpose that's more than "This is the fastest way to be successful." It goes beyond mortal ideas; way back before the world's foundation, when God was thinking about you. Before He shaped the first man; before He came "Down from His Glory" to redeem His chosen people, He was thinking about you, seeing you, loving you.

Think about it: He could have used you back in Bible times, or during the Civil War - but God new that now was the best time. He has a job for you to do while you're here. He didn't just want to "Save" you - He wanted to be your best friend, your "mission" and your everything.

Did you realize God was that personal?  He has big plans for you - to shape you and mold you. Jesus himself said He would provide your clothes. He would provide your food. He would guide you and show you where your next footstep should be. If we can just look beyond what society calls "successful" and "fulfilled" and close our eyes to it all, falling on our knees and whispering in our hearts "I want to serve You, Lord."

He said if you'd seek, you'd find. If you'd knock, it would be opened to you eventually. He may test your faith and patience, but God's Word doesn't lie. Approach Him in honesty and make sure no hidden sin can stop your prayer, wait on Him and He promised to answer.

Whether He created you to be a housewife, a social worker or a cleaning lady, He's going to take care of you and He has precious things in store for you. When situations go wrong, you can rest, knowing you're in His perfect will and He's going to take care of you like He promised.

Waiting is hard though, isn't it? I know - I'm doing it to. Sometimes I get impatient with waiting and it's frustrating that a lot of people don't understand what "I'm praying about it" means. It's hard when negative comments "strike a nerve" and you have to smile as if you didn't feel the sting. It's hard when you're doing what you feel to be right, when most of the world disagrees with your decision - but Moses stood. Elijah stood. Esther stood. Mary stood - and Jesus stood.

I think it would bless God's heart to see His children sacrificing their reputations and plans to pray, like He did one dark, lonely night in Gethsemane  "Father, not my will, but Thine be done."

Like salvation's story, you may have to go through a hard, dark battle - but God is going to raise you up in victory one day and as your last battle fades, He will say "Welcome home my good and faithful servant" - and no hardship will matter anymore.

Press on for Jesus and ask Him to guide you - He's never led me wrong before and I know He will see me through now. We aren't standing by ourselves, He cares...and He knows what it feels like. Cast your burdens upon Him and let Him be your strength.

3 comments:

Bethany Carson said...

Amen! Wonderful post.

Having graduated in 2012 I can relate 100% to what you're saying. You couldn't have explained the situation better. Sometimes life is tough; and it's hard to see which path is the right one.

Thanks for the encouragement, and I pray God will bless you and give you wisdom in your decisions.

As the scriptures say, As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are his ways higher than our ways, and his thoughts than our thoughts. He is good and He loves us and wants the best for us, His children; and He has promised to lead us in paths of righteousness. He has great plans for us! Eye hath not seen nor hath ear heard the wonderful things God has prepared for them who love Him!

Anna said...

Thanks, Bethany! I appreciate this comment so much. Your encouragement goes a long way - and I pray that God leads you in whatever decisions you're still working on. :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Anna,
Thank you for the wonderful things you said in this blog. Some things are worth waiting for, even though waiting is hard! You are doing the exact thing you should do...asking your Maker what He has made you for. I think that shows such Christian maturity, even though you are only 17 years old. God is faithful, and He will show you what He wants for your life!! ...love you so much!! Your old mamaw from Ohio ..
Papaw said, "AMEN, SISTER"!