If I had to choose just one overarching lesson that I have learned during my first year in the “real world” it would simply be that without the Lord’s strength and provision in my life, I can do NOTHING. This year, I have been both humbled and challenged in ways that I never thought possible in every. single. aspect. of my life. Never have I had to rely and trust the Lord more and never have I seen my own weaknesses and inadequacies more clearly.
Recently, I have begun to think about what is “next” for me when it comes to what city to live in, what job to have, and what relationships to nurture. This seems like a pretty normal and innocent thing to do now, doesn’t it? However, recently I realized how much this whole worrying about the future deal is taking my eyes off of Jesus and His plan for me. Instead I have been turning my thoughts and concerns inward to solely focus on myself-leading to a further realization of how inadequate I am without making Christ my point of view. Now this is not the first time I have done this, and yet, even after seeing the incredible faithfulness of the Lord and His plan for me show up AGAIN and AGAIN, I still fail to remember this in times where I think that my life is more important than anything else in this world. Yikes. Perspective much?
When I take my eyes off of Jesus, I feel weak, confused, lonely, anxious, insecure, and overwhelmed. But in Christ I have wisdom, love, security, discernment, and peace.
My hope in sharing this is that this would be a reminder that HE IS ENOUGH for us. The Lord does not look at us and see the ugliness of the past or the magnitude of your inadequacy, but instead, He is so filled with love for us that He wants to bless us with a hope and a beautiful future so that His name would be magnified. Yes, by myself I can hardly even walk out the door in the morning, but in Christ I am filled with an abounding and unexplainable joy, a passion for what I do, and a hope for a future that I can not even begin to imagine.
Love,
Emily