Isaiah 43:1-4
"This is what the Lord says--he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior... Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you..."
Hey, Internet! Looks like I haven't posted on this blog since April, but I've been busy. This summer, I spent 40 hours every week at an animal teaching hospital for an internship, which was the last semester of my degree program. Now, however, I'm done! Yay!
In my earlier duo-post Losing Perfection... Finding Peace, I talked about some pictures that I got from God that described what my second semester would look like. What I haven't mentioned since is that I've been asking him for pictures that describe every semester since then. It's been very cool to see what he's shown me!
For this past Spring semester, God showed me two pictures:
1) An extension of the journey through the dark valley. I had passed through the village and was on my way to the mountain on the other side. It was time to leave behind the people I had met--committing them to God's plans for their lives, and trusting him to take care of them--and climb the mountain that lay ahead.
2) I saw a huge wave, probably twice the height of my two-story house (it was very similar to the wave in the trailer for Exodus: Gods and Kings), bearing down on a lone figure. The person was on their knees with bowed head as the wave approached, but their shadow stretched out behind them in a standing position holding a sword and daring the wave to do its worst. It was like I was facing immense pressure, but the one who was living inside me was greater and fiercer than anything, and he was teaching me to be a warrior. I didn't know if the wave would crash over me, and I would emerge out the top, or if the wave would split and not touch me in the first place. My eyes were closed, trusting God, and he told me that he would take care of me. I was reminded of Isaiah 43:1-4, when God promises to be with us through the waves and waters that sweep over us.
That second picture was describing the time period from the beginning of Spring semester through my summer internship. They day after my internship finished, I saw the next piece:
I was standing, watching an ocean storm play out around me. Wind blew fiercely and the water was churning and rolling. I looked down, wondering what I was standing on, and it turned out to be water. But I wasn't afraid, because God told me that I had just overcome the wave, and had come out the top victorious.
God showed me more pictures which I talk about later. But for now, I want to glorify him and encourage you by describing how he proved faithful to me during the last six months:
1) "...I will be with you..." was one of the coolest promises I received from God this year. He phrased it in an interesting way one morning during my quiet time: "Don't forget to take me along." It was a gentle reminder for me to rely on him, a habit I had kind of gotten out of this summer. But he was always there for me, every single day. When I went to school on campus, I'd ask him what to print, what to bring, which assignments to do when, and which tests to study for. He always provided an answer, and he always proved right. The more I trusted him with, the more he proved faithful time and time again. It was hard, yes. It meant making the same choice thousands of times: Surrender my fears, worries, and tasks to God, because he will take care of me. And follow him, no matter what common sense said to do.
2) "I will complete the work I started in you" was another promise he gave me. It was one I referred back to when I didn't know how well of a grade I got on a homework assignment or test. It was also what helped me trust him when I had a couple classes go below the grade I desired. He helped me see that it didn't matter if I got A's, I just needed to pass. He told me that he was the one who had called me to do this degree, and he would bring me through no matter what. I needed to stop trying to be perfect, and seek him first. And then he used my finals to boost my grades back up to A's anyway, just because he could.
3) "Picture me doing it" was one that I've already written about in a previous post. He told me that when I had a project that involved an oral presentation, something I was convinced I was terrible at. Over and over, I was picturing past embarrassing moments, as well as picturing repeating them in the next context. But he put a stop to that with those words, and when he did the assignment, it was fantastic.
4)"...Those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength..." "...his compassions are new every morning..." and "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" were the verses that carried me into and through this internship. The first verse (Isaiah 40:31) was also a reference to the picture I asked for and received to describe the summer:
I was an eagle about to launch into the sky and soar. The launch represented trusting him, because I was throwing myself into the sky not knowing if I could fly. He would catch me with the updraft I glided on, and I would be using wings that he gave me, which meant I would be doing what he designed me to do.
The second verse (Lamentations 3:22-23) was a reminder for me to not borrow trouble. I needed to trust that God would give me the grace I needed when I needed it. I didn't need grace for the next day, because that day hadn't arrived yet. So I needed to not worry about it, and choose to trust him and ask that his grace would be given to me for each situation I faced. Isn't it nice to pray for something you know he'll give you?
The third verse (Philippians 4:13) was one to post in my locker at the animal hospital. That way, I could see it and know that he would give me the wisdom, strength, and attitude I needed no matter what that day held.
So that's just a glimpse at all that God has been doing for me in the last six months. And since I'm already on a roll, I figured I might as well tell you what's next, as far as he's told me. But I'm warning you, it's not much. Here's why:
1) This was a picture that he gave me at the end of the Spring semester, when I was looking towards this summer and what lay beyond. It's another extension to the story about the journey.
I was still climbing the mountain, but then I reached the cloud that I had seen from afar that sat half-way to the top. In there, I wouldn't be able to see even the path in front of my feet, let alone what lay beyond the cloud. However, I just needed to focus on the sound of his voice leading me thorugh, and believe that he was taking me on the best path.
2) "I know the plans I have for you..." (Jeremiah 29:11) was the final verse/promise that God gave me during school. He has told me to follow him for every single step, and not worry about the long-term strategy. I need to leave it to him to decide, listen for his voice, and trust in his plan for me.
Therefore, I don't know if I'll be getting a job, volunteering, or just learning to "be busy at home". I just know that I'm following him no matter what.
So there you have it! A (hopefully brief) description of the last six months of my college experience. I hope it encouraged and challenged you to trust God no matter what you are facing: whether it be a huge wave, a dark valley, or a shrouded mountain path. He has promised to be with you... "when you pass through the waters; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." For he is the Lord, you are precious in his sight, and he loves you. Of all the lessons I learned in college, this was by far the most important one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teUxQpnhezY
