Make it Count

It finally really hit me. When I was on my way home from church I realized that I will only share 2 more worship services with what has become my church home in East Lansing. I don't know if it was out of fear or love or excitement or nostalgia or the fact that EL has become home or what... but I (despite priding myself in rarely crying) started crying in my car. I have less than 3 weeks where I can still call myself a college student and then I'll be an alumni and on my own! What was once a far off and silly thought about my being almost done finally became a reality and it was honestly a little scary. And it still seems pretty bizarre even as I write it again.

Tebow knows what's up!
Philippians 4:13

Through my tears and the somewhat harsh dose of reality, the devil started feeding me lies that I wasn't ready for the next stage of life... that I wasn't ready to move on... that I needed to stay close to what has become my family here. Praise God that our sermon this morning was all about how we can believe in Christ and the power of Easter through God's Word and Means of Grace - I don't have to doubt like Thomas. In the short car ride home, God's word powered through the devil's lies and reminded me that I don't need to doubt my preparedness, but that I am beyond ready for the next chapter with Christ's strength as my cornerstone: "For I can do all things through Him who gives me strength." 

Furthermore in Jeremiah God reminds me: "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  The experiences, hardships, successes, relationships, and time I have spent at State have been purposefully crafted by God to prepare me for the next stage of life. Who am I to doubt and fear that He won't continue to craft my future plans just as beautifully and purposefully? 

Finally, one of my favorite verses that I often turned to during my volleyball career that also provided comfort to me today was Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord God will be with you wherever you go."  Having studied Joshua a little further on my own, it is comforting to see that he was able to have such confidence in God because of his preparedness before he became leader. Joshua was about to lead the Israelites into the Promise Land after Moses passed away. No easy feat if you ask me. But He was receiving godly wisdom and mentorship well before he was asked to lead - just look at the Tent of Meeting for one example. I, too, can have confidence moving forward because I have been purposeful in growing my relationship with God. I am confident of where He is leading me and like Joshua have been poured into by wonderful Christians leaders and believers. I am able to "walk by faith, not by sight."

As I have further thought about one chapter closing and another beginning, I was reminded of Ecclesiastes 3 and how there is a Time for Everything: 

           "There is a time for everything,
           and a season for every activity under heaven:
           a time to be born and a time to die,
           a time to plant and a time to uproot,
           a time to kill and a time to heal,
           a time to tear down and a time to build,
           a time to weep and a time to laugh,
           a time to mourn and a time to dance,
           a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
           a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
           a time to search and a time to give up,
           a time to keep and a time to throw away,
           a time to tear and a time to mend,
           a time to be silent and a time to speak,
           a time to love and a time to hate,
           a time for war and a time for peace."

I'm not meant to stay put in a single season or feeling of life. It's God's will for me to continue to grow in knowledge and in truth of Him and His Word - and that requires me to continue to work and toil and in most instances, move on to new opportunities and experiences. This is actually a gift from God, to be able to work hard. And plus if I read further in this chapter, I see that God has set eternal life in the heart's of men - my ultimate 'time' or 'season' or 'chapter of life' is in heaven with Him!

It's clear that I have no reasons to fear or be apprehensive about my future or even about my time closing in at State. Rather, I can (as I've been reminded from my FINAL {ever!} project for school) by God's grace MAKE IT COUNT. I am able to make it count right now: I can enjoy, laugh, dance, love, and embrace my time and relationships here because my Lord Jesus gives me the ultimate purpose and reason to live life to the fullest everyday. I will be able to make it count in the future: I can look forward with eager expectation to the next season of life God has prepared for me because I know He is walking beside me and guiding me. And because Jesus made his life count - I, too, can make my life count for eternity in heavenly glory with Him forever.

As athletically related as the Nike+ campaign may be, it
could not be any more true for our walk with God. We should strive
to make every day - every moment - every movement
 count for Him and His Kingdom!