Changes.

It has been quite some time since I've posted anything, and no one really reads this. But I really love writing and using this blog to process thoughts.

Will and I are in our last semester of PT school.  Um... what? How did the time go by so quickly? I feel so not ready to work and be in the real world! That probably sounds awful, but I love school and learning new things and having such a wonderful time with classmates every day while trying to navigate grad school and exams and practicals.

Also, I'm 24. That's another shock to the system. Seems so young to older readers, and seems so old to younger readers. It's a weird, weird age. I feel like when I was 16, I thought I'd be so wise and mature in my mid-twenties... Nope. Not there. Probably won't ever be, I'm learning. All wisdom comes from Christ, and so the more I pursue Him and listen to the Spirit, the more I will grow in wisdom and knowledge of this world and what He wants from me.

Which that leads into... Will and I were asked by our church in Birmingham, Redeemer Community, to lead a community group (we call them home groups). Yeah... God, what?! What are You doing?! Why on earth would You ask this task of me while I've been in such a dry desert lately in my walk with You? How am I supposed to lead a group of 15 people in their walk with Christ when I've got sooo much to learn and am so young and have nooo experience?

You, reader, may be feeling this way in some aspect of your life. Maybe you just started a new job, and you're the youngest person by about 20 years. Or you've been placed in a leadership position and have no clue how you got there. Or you're just straight up out of your comfort zone in a foreign country.

Let me tell you what I've learned so far from the Lord in this strange and unlikely position I've been placed in. First, this is a time for GROWTH. Having to spend extra time practicing a skill or learning a sermon helps you grow in your life experiences. And THAT is part of the reason that the Lord has allowed you to go through this. He wants to stretch you and make you feel more dependent on Him. Since being asked to lead, I feel a greater sense of responsibility to learn the material myself, and to genuinely ask the Lord for things and seek His will. I WANT to grow closer to Him because I will fall on my face without Him and His guidance. Seek Him in your uncomfortable stage of life. He won't let you down.
Secondly, I've learned that this. has. been. ordained. Things don't just happen on a whim. The Lord has planned this for you since the beginning of Creation. I felt SO inadequate at first because of my own self, but HE is in charge, not me. Who am I to tell Him what I should be doing? I also found out later that our church prayed over this and hand picked us to be these leaders, even with so many incredible people in our home group who are more qualified, more spiritual (in my opinion) and more wise. But the Lord chose us for this season. He wants us to be investing in others and developing our own spirtual lives even more. And HE qualifies us, no one else.
Which leads me to the last point I've learned. He has GREATER things than even this for you and for me! This season is a time of preparation for something bigger, something that will glorify Him. So if you feel overwhelmed, know that He is leading you to purposes that neither of us can see or even predict at the moment, but will make an eternal impact. He is GOOD. And has good things in store for you. Not always easy things, not always fun things, not always exciting things, but it is all for your future good.

Lord, thank you for placing me outside of my comfort zone in a position where I have nowhere to look but up to You. I pray that you are the source of my joy and comfort, my grace and wisdom, my love and servanthood because I truly know I can do none of these things without You. God, You. Are. Good. Thank you for your sovereignty and love for us.

"Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." 1 Timothy 4:12