I am really glad summer is over. Or almost over, anyway.
Summertime is always hectic and stressful for me, particularly the months of June and July. This year has been no different. It could be all the birthdays that fall within those months, or the crazy, condensed interim classes that take place....or the fact that the building I work in has been literally ripped apart and rebuilt around me as I float from corner to corner trying to find a place to work. *sigh*
Out of the chaos rose many challenges, both personal and professional. A few days have been quiet and relatively uneventful, but the majority of the summer has had me on my knees, crying out to God in worry and frustration over things that are simply beyond my control. Now, after a much-needed vacation, I am thankful that things seem pretty low-key....for now. No one is sick, work is fairly slow, school responsibilities seem managable. Joy! But as I bask in a peaceful week, I've noticed that so many others around me are dealing with some pretty heavy stuff. When I mentioned this to a friend, she brought it to my attention that perhaps God has given me this "down time" so that I can actually take the focus off of me for a change, and pray for them.
In retrospect, I've come to realize something about my challenges over the summer. Or really, ask myself a question: Would I have relied on God so intensely had everything gone exactly the way I wanted? Is it perfect peace and the absence of problems that drives me to my knees in prayer? Nope. I wish I could say that I spend an hour or two each day thanking God for His many blessings upon my life, but I can't, because I don't. In fact, I find that when things are going great, I tend to spend less time with God. Like I don't need Him. But if my car breaks down or work becomes difficult, prayer becomes much more frequent throughout my day. And if my child were to become sick with some unidentified or untreatable illness, you better believe I would be on my face before God at every free moment I get. Trouble is inevitable--a part of life. Some problems may be worse than others, but the fact is, I can never avoid all of it.
But, I can be ready for it.
In John 16:33, Jesus prepares us for this:
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. "
Here are some profound words coming from who I consider to be the most troubled person in history. A savior, to be exact, who came to us as a man to pay the ultimate price for our sins. Born, hunted, persecuted, tested, betrayed, mocked, beaten, and crucified on a cross. If anyone had trouble, it was him. He also reminds us that despite whatever battles or frustrations we face in our lifetime here on Earth, they come not to impair us, but to improve and strengthen us, as we draw closer to Christ. Jesus promises that he will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). No matter what! Be still and wait on him, and he promises to refresh us with a peace that only he can give.
In my usually chaotic life, the verse that has brought me the most comfort throughout this entire year is Jeremiah 29:11:
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
I find myself going back to this verse constantly, and it never fails to encourage me. It's kind of like God knew we were going to need that or something. Another thing that comforts me is his promise that no matter who we are, no matter what we have done, his grace is extended to us. All we have to do is accept the "living water" that he is so anxiously waiting to give us. We do not have to choose him--he has already chosen us! In this promise, I realize that I don't have to carry the burdens of this life anymore. He has overcome them all. All I have to do is let go and place them into his able hands. And there is nothing--absolutely NOTHING--that he can't handle!
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