I Could Not Have Planned This

If you would have asked me a month ago how I felt about going to college. I probably would tell you that I’m scared that I won't make any friends. I am scared to death to leave my family. I would go on and on about how I will never feel the same in Manhattan as I did in Louisburg. Well, I was wrong.

      Today those answers from “me of the past” are no longer relevant. I have been on campus for roughly two weeks and I already feel right at home. Manhattan has become my home away from home. Not only have I joined a great sorority, but I have already made some amazing friends who have welcomed me with open arms. I never would have expected this. God’s plan for me here at K-State is in the beginning stages, but I see all the work from the past that has lead me to this moment. How each challenge has strengthened my faith and due to that challenge I am able to be confident in the Lord.

      God’s plan cannot be guessed nor imagined in its full glory, but it can be witnessed. I see it happening all around me in school, in my friends, and in my roommate. There are people placed on this earth to help guide us along the path. To encourage us. To help us through the difficult times. To be a shoulder to cry on. To be a brother/sister in Christ. I believe that these people are a gift from God.

As I was reading in my Bible the other day I came across this verse: John 5:37. “One plants and another harvests. And it’s true I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.”

This hit home. I realized that my spiritual journey has been guided along the way by many people in my church, my family, and now at college. My early faith was taught by my parents, my Sunday school teachers, and cute Bible coloring pages. As I grew older, my faith in Jesus grew with me. Increasing each day by youth group on Monday nights and encouragement from my friends throughout the week. This summer, the Youth Mission Trip took my faith to new heights (literally, we were up in the mountains all week). I found a love of serving people and spreading God’s Word. Now, I’m at college. Who knows where my faith will go next? But, I know that God has people here to help me all the way, just like he has done in the past.

So, my challenge for you: What does your spiritual journey look like? Who has inspired you along the way? And lastly, who do you want to inspire?

Not Just Small Talk Anymore

            A man by the name of C.S. Lewis, whom I find exceptionally inspiring, once said, “When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now.”

          At first glance it seems shocking and even harsh… loving someone more than your significant other? However, I believe he’s exactly right. Relationships today can seem caught up in silly mind games and attempting to steer clear of commitment, while making an effort to “win” even the most insignificant arguments. Do you truly believe that’s what God has in mind when he tells us to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind?” Followed by “love your neighbor as yourself.” It’s no coincidence that God tells us to love himself first, and then love our neighbor. We are called to love God above all else, that’s why it comes first. Then we are commanded to not just love our neighbor, but love him/her as ourselves. (That means love them A LOT).

          So what is love? Love is a “profoundly passionate affection for another.” Did you catch that part in the middle? A passionate affection. Passion, as in a powerful and compelling emotion, and affection as in gentle and caring. Since when did the term “love” get twisted into meaning the above description of trying to “win” and have the upper hand? Since when did love turn into avoiding commitment? The term itself directly implies not just any commitment, but a deep and purposeful one!

          Here’s where I think C.S. Lewis hit the nail right on the head. When you learn to love God and form a relationship with Him, you acquire a whole different perspective on life, friendships, and yes, even love. Believe it or not, the Bible has some great relationship advice. Don’t just take my word for it though, go ahead and check it out for yourself!

          I speak from experience when I say having Christ at the center of your relationship makes ALL the difference. Suddenly it’s not about trying to win, or worrying whether your honey might find someone better when they hit up that party this weekend. It turns into something much, much more meaningful. Small talk turns into deep and purposeful conversation. Worrying fades away and is replaced by complete trust. And putting yourself first turns into wanting what’s best for the other, even when it may not seem to be best for yourself. It’s rather astonishing what can come from trusting in God and letting things fall into place. I’m challenging you to take the wise words of Mr. Lewis and apply them to your life. I think you’ll find the outcome to be utterly extraordinary.

 

 

XOXO

Mary Kate