Today was definitely a God,
why are you reading my mail?! day.
Often I read “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young at night before I
head to bed (you can find it here: http://www.thomasnelson.com/jesus-calling.html). Tonight I read:
“Seek me with your whole being. I desire to be found by you,
and I orchestrate the events of your life with that purpose in mind. When
things go well and you are blessed, you can feel Me smiling on you. When you
encounter rough patches along your life-journey, trust that My Light is still
shining upon you. My reasons for allowing these adversities may be shrouded in
mystery, but My continual Presence with you is an absolute promise. Seek Me in
good times; seek Me in hard times. You will find me watching over you all the
time.”
Reading this just confirmed the sense I had felt over this
whole day—that God was looking out for me and speaking, through my
circumstances and those around me, directly to my heart.
I have a story from today that I would love to share with
you. Here is a little background to get you started:
·
Church
struggles: When I left school in May for the summer, the church I have
attended while at school for the past two years was going through a major
transition. The pastor was one of the aspects of the church that originally
drew me there, and he and his family had left to be missionaries. When I left, I
had no clue how it would go over, so I was reticent and reluctant to go back
this fall. I was mourning my pastor’s departure, and wasn’t sure how the church
was going to be doing without them. I
guess you could say that I really don’t like changing to a different church,
but I didn’t really like my church changing either? In any case, I wasn’t sure
about this semester. God knew that, and I’d been asking Him what to do about my
uncertainty.
·
The class
I am super excited about: I had my first session of Honors Integrated
Theology on Thursday of this week. To start off the class, we are reading a
book called “Mosaic of Christian Belief: Twenty Centuries of Unity and
Diversity.” In the preface and first chapter, it talked a lot about how there
are essentials to the Christian faith that makes it strong and unique. Then
there are other things that are important or often come along with the faith
that different groups disagree about. It brings in the quote, “In essentials
unity, in non-essentials liberty, and in all things charity” as a main
principle for theological pursuit and debate. When I read this quote earlier
this week, I was so struck by it that I wrote it down and then posted it on
Facebook. I also wrote, “Lord, help me to approach my theology class this
semester and my Christian friends always with this attitude. Amen.” Later in the semester, we are going to
have some study on Islam in comparison to Christianity so we can understand the
people around us and the value of our faith in Christ. I am very excited about
this class and the things I will be learning.
The story: Obviously God had a plan in place to
set me at ease this Sunday! First of all, when I walked through the church
doors this morning, it felt like home. Happy memories washed over me. We sang
all my favorite songs in worship. I saw many people I knew and joyously greeted
them after months of not seeing each other. I felt God’s presence. One of my
housemates asked to come with me to church this morning (thanks, Jewel!) and it
was fun to have her there. One man shared an encouraging update on a friend I hadn’t
seen for a while and had completely lost touch with.
Not to mention the pastor’s sermon! He spoke on the 7 “ones”
from Ephesians 4 that help us understand the areas in which it is essential to be
unified in the church body: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one
faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. He even used the quote from our “Mosaic”
book: “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, and in all things
charity” in the middle of the sermon! Then they announced a Sunday school class
focused on how to understand the Muslim faith with the intent of reaching out
with the love of God to them. I went to the class and learned some new things. All
of the connections to what I was already processing in my mind from class this
week took me totally by surprise. It was wonderful and delightful. Now I am even excited to go back next week!
So, I am taking this as evidence of God reading my mail,
hearing the cry of my heart for wisdom and guidance, and choosing to give me
opportunities to learn more about him, both in school and in church.
Yesterday I did not have peace or understanding concerning
where I would attend church this semester and how that would go. Today, I know
God has shown that He is working. While there was no neon arrow in the sky, I
feel him “smiling on me” today. He orchestrated the events of my life to help
me understand a sliver of what He has up His sleeve for me this semester. When
things get hard, I will know He is still there, because He is “watching over me
all the time.”
Dear Lord, Don’t let me
forget times like this when You orchestrate the events of my life to help me
see You and Your will more clearly. Thank you that You watch over me, and that
You give me wisdom and clarity in the midst of uncertainty and confusion. I
pray Your blessing over me, my fellow believers, and my fellow students as we
seek to learn and draw closer to You this year and in all the years to come. We
praise You for all You are and all You have done for us. Amen.
