It can feel daunting coming to write a new post for the blog that has been a major part of my life for the past nine years. Undeniably His has grown through many courses. Through the swerves of high school and the challenges of living for the Lord at a young age, down the valley of anxiety and fear, up the path of seeing Jesus miraculously provide for me to attend Liberty. We have been on a journey together through all of these seasons and many more.
I am writing from my home this morning sitting in the midst of many answered prayers. It seems as if this is the time my pace of living is finally slowing down although work and daily tasks are still present. For the last three years, my temporary home was at college in Virginia. A part of my heart will always be there right in the campus of Liberty located in Lynchburg. I was formed and molded, chiseled, and refined each day on campus. I had the privilege of living out a ministry for the girls on my hall each year I was at Liberty. God brought me to the end of myself in my dorm rooms and pushed me forward in strength each new day no matter what obstacles I faced.
Praying for my future husband was never put on pause during my college years. I remained focused on my calling and praying for God’s timing to be fulfilled in bringing the gift of marriage into my life.
I remember my last single Valentine’s day on campus starting a Bible study with friends and then babysitting for a couple I really valued. I saw a glimpse into the life I was praying to have in the future and during that night babysitting, I found more contentment with the season God had me in that included just me and Him.
About a month later, Jesus brought a childhood distant friend back into my life. Houston and I reconnected through social media as the result of God Himself fulfilling His own plans. Houston and I never expected to be together and especially did not think we would one day get married.
The Valentine’s Day a year after the one I was single and babysitting looked entirely different. On February 11th of last year, Houston proposed and we were engaged!
Our first Valentine’s Day spent together in person will be this year and we are married! We endured long distance and saw God bring fun and fruit to our lives in the midst of longing for one another and always feeling like a piece of us was in another state.
I am home now. We are married. I have a job working for Liberty University online. We are getting connected in a local church we align with in beliefs. We have opportunities to speak together for ministry. Our home is beautiful.
As I list out all of these miracles, my flesh is also aware of things that still aren’t perfect in my mind. Our yard really needs some more work. My job is not easy. Our schedules do not always match. Marriage takes work and sacrifice. It is hard finding time to go to small groups at our new church because of our work timelines.
Nothing is ever going to be perfect. We do not live in a perfect world and I honestly struggle with that. I crave the perfection we were originally created to know and embrace.
This season of life looks different from all the rest but I want to be captivated by Christ and not the demands of life, the pressure of my job, or the fears of what is to come. I want to throw off all weights that easily entangle me from running the race God has set in front of me.
As you read this, what are some areas in your life currently that are keeping you from running the race God has placed before you? Is your schedule keeping you from communing with the Father? What distractions need to be removed so that you can live in the giftings and callings God has set over your life?
We can live every day purposefully only through the strength of the Lord.
“So he said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” -Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” -Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
Undeniably His 