"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? . . . Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? . . . No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." - Romans 8:31-37As I am right in the heart of examination week here at MC, I definitely feel as though my exams are winning the battle over me due to the extent of studying plus having to pack at the same time to make the 6 hour drive home. As the semester has come to a close, completing my first year here at college, I look back and see where I've come and what I've been through. It's been hectic, fun, hard, intriguing, and interesting as I have embarked upon the very beginnings of the journey to fulfill God's calling in my life. Although it is always a bitter-sweet feeling to leave those close friendships I've made here behind, this summer I believe God will prove Himself to me once again through my summer schooling and the Mexico medical mission trip I'm participating in this summer.
Throughout my first year here, the thing that has been most prevalent in my life, and the thing that I see in other people is the overwhelming confusion that most freshman fall into during their first year at college. They want to get involved in so many organizations, make a lot of friends, and they end up getting too involved. Too busy, too caught up in everything that they drown out God's voice and what He's trying to teach them. I'm not saying getting involved is unwise, but to a certain extent I feel that we are too easily entangled in what the world has to offer, and we end up in a superficial state of confusion which often leads to spiritual dormancy and a luke-warm desire for Christ.
Confusion results when we can't connect our perception with reality. It hits us physically, emotionally, and mentally. Worst of course is spiritual confusion—when we can't connect what is happening with our sense of who we know God to be: the God that I know would never let this happen. It's an awful thing to let this kind of confusion go on for a long time.
Here are four truths that I found in a devotion from John Piper that I beleive can act like a spiritual compass, to help you find us find our way back to God when we feel "lost" or "caught-up" in the world:
First of all, God always has a plan for you. He is not surprised about anything. He has never paced the floor. He is in complete control, with His feet up.
Second, God's timing is always perfect in your life. He has never been late—or early; He is always right on time. It's difficult to see God's perfect timing when you are in the midst of a trial, but think about your life. Rehearse a situation when God's timing was right and let that memory encourage you in the situation you face today.
Third, you have nothing to fear. That doesn't mean you automatically avoid all that's painful in life. But I guarantee you that every person in heaven reflects on his or her life and agrees that even the tragic events turned out for God's glory.
Fourth, you've got a lot to learn. Too often I want to handle situations myself; I think I know better. But if you humble yourself in the midst of painful circumstances, you will realize that God uses everything to accomplish His good in your life.
So if you feel like you are lost, confused, or wherever you are in your spiritual walk with Christ, it's not too late to turn the car around. Just follow God's directions, and I promise you will find Him. Because with Christ, we are MORE than conquerors. We ARE the bride of Christ.
