Greater Things

"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God." 
- William Carey

I am on the brink of a new season of life, feeling like everything is going incredibly slow and yet whirling past me with unthinkable speed.  In two months, I will be finished with this season of college life. I will be done. How did this happen when just yesterday I was a scared little freshman terrified of living in this big country called the USA and afraid that I wouldn't be able to make American friends, feeling so awfully foreign and yet not?

As I am trudging through loads of schoolwork with a full course load as well as working part-time, time seems to be inching past me, as I long desperately for my upcoming Christmas break, when I can rejoice in being finished with school, enjoy the presence of my beautiful family whom I have not seen in a year, and get to spend time with my loving boyfriend whom I miss so very much.  Time is going...so...slowly.  
And yet, as I think back to the nervous and shy freshman overwhelmed by the size of the cereal aisle in Winco, I can't believe how quickly time has flown. 

Even as I think of the impending end to a season and wonder what is coming next as countless college graduates have done before me, I am so content in Christ.  It has not been this way much of the time. 
I am a planner and worrier, so when things are out of my control or don't go as I had planned, I become frustrated and struggle to trust my God who has proven Himself faithful over and over again in my life.  

But, thankfully, my God knows my heart better than anyone else, and even in knowing all my flaws, I am sure He lovingly rolls His eyes at me and whispers, "Sarah, don't you trust me? After all this time, don't you know I want what's best for you and am guiding you closer to me even as I lead you in life?"  He is not angry, throwing His hands up in a huff and giving up on me.  He is faithful and true and persistent in His kindness and love towards me, as well as His discipline in correcting me and setting me on the right path.  And so as I am looking towards a new season, I am challenging myself to every day rest in that.  I want to rest in His love and faithfulness, and furthermore, I want to be faithful in return.  

Right now, being the planner that I am, I am getting myself into a tizzy working up budgeting plans to pay off loans and live simply (Dutch Bros., Boba, Fast food fasts...yes, it will be rough but of course, those are luxuries of American living) as well as looking forward to the future with hope kindled in my heart, knowing the Lord has a purpose for my life, and He is leading me on a road that will draw me closer to Him and teach me how to love as He loves.  

I am expecting amazing things from an amazing God who has proven Himself faithful countless times.

But I am also attempting to do great things for His glory, doing all I can to be ready to serve Him in all that I am.  I want to invest in the place He has me in the present.
I want to be open and ready to go wherever He sends me, and I refuse to let my passion for His name or the vision and love He has given me for the nations die or be sacrificed for temporal pleasures.  My greatest joy is to know Him and know that I am exactly where He wants me, and I can rest in Him, knowing He is a good Daddy, the greatest Friend, my ever-present Comforter.