Big Changes are coming. And they are coming FAST.
Last Friday, May 16th, 2014, I graduated from The College at Southeastern with a degree in English and Christian Studies. On Monday, I started a new full-time job with Praying Pelican Missions. Sometime this week I will be closing on a home and moving.
So much change. So many things that could go wrong. So many things already have gone "wrong". But ya know what? God is still in control. He has constantly reminded me of that through the past few weeks. God, the Almighty, is in control. Sure, things may not turn out exactly the way I thought they would or should. For example, I was really working hard to make all A's and B's this semester, but I didn't. We were hoping to close on our house at the beginning of May, but it is now nearing the end and we still haven't closed on the house. I just started my new job, which I was hoping to start in my new house with an office, completely organized and ready to go. I started yesterday with my office either on my couch or outside (the only two places I have cell service). I started without being able to be fully "in control" of my surroundings and be entirely organized.
But God is fully in-control. He knows whats going on. He knows what I need. I just need to work to the glory of God no matter my surroundings. No matter whether or not I have closed on our house yet. No matter if I get all A's and B's. I need to make sure that my first focus is glorifying God. Which leads me to my main point...
I think too often, that my focus changes from glorifying God to wanting to glorify myself. I wanted great grades so I could show off my intelligence. I wanted to close on the house earlier because I wanted to show off my house. You get my drift. But God took that from me. And I can't thank Him enough for it. I MUST remember that God is in control of my life, not me. He gets the glory for everything, not me. I am merely a vessel for Him to use. This morning I was reading in 1 John and I was reminded that I can not love the things of the world, "For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life-- is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:16-17).
Without obedience to God, my life is worth nothing and will die away with this world. With obedience, I will abide with God forever.
Being in control, wanting my life to mean something because of what I do... Those are my sins that I have to bring to Jesus on a daily basis. Those are my sins that I struggle with. I need Jesus to remind me that I am NOT in control, but that He is. I need Jesus to remind me that I am His and He is mine and my life MUST reflect that in my obedience to Him for His sake, not mine.
