A Pilgrimage Ends & A Voyage Begins

After twenty six years of life, I've decided that each year of life is always formative in some way.  Sometimes drastic things happen within a year which force me to confront who I am and question what God is doing, and some years feel like seasons of prosperity where the abundance of God's presence, provision, and love is evident.  2015 was definitely the former description.  Here's my 2015 in a nutshell:
  • January: Co-led my first group of students up to Hume Lake for United Winter Camp, where one of the buses we had taken up the mountain left without us on departure day
  • February-July: I was tasked to kickstart a new missions initiative for Student Ministry; also one of my most significant friendships went through a very rough patch
  • July: I led my first missions trip to San Francisco, partnering with City Impact, where I learned a lot about myself as a ministry leader and the importance of practicing patience
  • August: Began my third year of seminary...and also accepted a position to be Chapel Coordinator for the seminary this spring semester
  • September: After much frustration, God taught me what friendship actually means and the importance of self-sacrifice in order to express love and care
  • November: I "celebrated" my 26th birthday; I also completed my research paper on the theology of homosexuality in the Pauline letters (if you want a copy, let me know and I'll add you to the email list)
  • December: My boss and the Community Life Pastor at The Bridge accepted new ministry assignments at The Well, which resulted in me being promoted to Student Ministry Director (oversee preteen, junior high, and high school ministries)
I go into 2016 with a lot on my plate: a full-time job, a part-time job, and going to school full-time.  Most people think I'm crazy when I tell them what's coming up for me this semester.  I have  thought that about myself quite often the past couple of weeks as I prepare myself mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for the road ahead.  Nevertheless, I know that God is doing something good in my life.  I know that there are lessons to be learned and there is growth that needs to happen.  Though my flesh is anxious, my spirit clings to God because I know that I am unable to do anything well without him.  Since the beginning of college in 2008 until this past December, it felt like I was trying to figure out where I belonged and where I was going; I was on a pilgrimage--wandering around and following the presence of God in order to find out who I am.  That's not the case anymore.  I am now a voyager for I know who I am in him and I know where God is ultimately taking me, but only God knows the stops ahead on this voyage. Here's to this new voyage that 2016 brings...this new beginning that includes new adventures for me, my relationship with God, and my relationship with others!

"Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up, do you perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.  The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide the water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise."  Isaiah 43:19-21

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