Room to Grow

Photo by Paula Brustur on Unsplash

I've been seriously ready to be done with school for a while. Two years ago, I took a semester off of college, but I secretly swore I'd never go back. The summer after my semester off, I changed my mind, and though I'm glad I did, I've been looking forward to the completion of my degree for the last three semesters. I actually really enjoy school, and I was always good at it. However, more recently I've realized that I've allowed my identity to be wrapped up in my student status. If I'm honest, though, I'm also terrified of what's coming next and whether or not I'll be able to handle it.

I've always struggled with a fear of the future because I too often try to let myself "control" the outcome. (Friends, that isn't a thing. You can't control the future because you haven't been there yet.) When I surrender my need to "control" the future, I am entrusting my future to the hands of the God who has been there. God is sovereign, and God is good, so I know that when He controls my future, whether or not it appears good to me, it is good, indeed.

Now, if my security is in Christ, and not my own abilities, how should I approach the future? At the risk of sounding like a cheesy Christian girl, I think that Proverbs 31:25 sums it up very well.

"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future." (NLT)

She laughs. She does not fear the future. Instead, she laughs. Friends, the woman described in Proverbs 31:25 not only faces the future undaunted, she embraces the unknown. If I really trust that God has control of the future, then I can embrace what is to come with joyful anticipation. I need not worry that I might fail because, friends, I will probably fail time and time again, but my God is unfailing. I'm not perfect, but I'm learning to daily say to my Lord, "What do you have in store, God? If you're going with me, then I'm ready."