Brief recap- I moved to Wake Forest, NC in January and started seminary. I got a job in the Missions Department on campus in February and I love my job! I successfully passed my first semester! Not gonna lie, I was a little surprised concerning one class. Praise God it all worked out! Also, I had the privilege to go back to Peru for about 10 days with Southeastern. It was great to be back! I didn’t realize how much I missed Peru until then but at the same time I know that I’m supposed to be here in Wake Forest. So that’s the quick recap.
A recap on what the Lord has been teaching me is not going to be so quick. There are so many things that He has been showing me. Moving to North Carolina and starting seminary has probably been just as much culture shock for me as moving to Peru (most people think I’m crazy when making that comment but I truly believe it’s true for me).
I continue to learn about surrender and leaving everything up to Him. I read something recently that reminded me of this… “Make your request to God, but put your faith in God that He will give you what is best.” I feel that sums up so much of my life. It is extremely easy for me to say surrender and I honestly try but ultimately I fail because the trusting Him to give me what is best is the hard part for me.
Another concept the Lord is showing me is along the lines of being alone. I currently live in seminary-land, which means people that have similar mindsets and goals, Christians, and just generally nice people surround me. So you might ask why am I learning about being alone when I’m in this type of community. I don’t really know the answer to that. I know that while I was in Peru I felt alone while I lived by myself but I was literally by myself in a city with no co-workers. I think in a way it was easier to deal with in Peru because I was told to kind of expect that to an extent throughout training and such. This really has been a struggle for me since I moved up here in January. I’ve made some friends so it’s not that I’m literally alone but I often find myself surrounded by people feeling alone (cliché, no?). Once I kind of realized a little what might be going on, I really started praying and just seeking God. Since seeking Him, He has begun to show me that when I’m alone, literally or emotionally, is when He can begin molding me into the person He intends for me to be.
But the time is coming – in fact, it is already here – when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. – John 17:32
In the process of sanctification, the Spirit of God will strip me own until there is nothing left but myself… Am I willing to reduce myself down to simply “me”? Am I determined enough to strip myself of all that my friends think of me, and all that I think of myself? Am I willing and determined to hand over my simple naked self to God? Once I am, He will immediately sanctify me completely, and my life will be free from being determined and persistent toward anything except God. -Chambers
Even though feeling alone is incredibly hard and this past semester was pretty tough, I wouldn’t change it. I don’t know that this is something I can learn once and for all or if it’s one of those that I’ll forever be learning. Nevertheless, I’m enjoying getting to know my Father more intimately.
There are more things I’m learning but I haven’t quite figured out how to put it in writing yet, so that means… a future blog! Woohoo!!
my nieces... aren't they cute?!
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