
(Picture via Pinterest)
As the end of the semester rolls around, anxiety for my future has been slowly creeping into the cracks of my mind. I won’t be living at home for most of the summer because of my internship in Cleveland, then I will be studying abroad in France for the entire Fall Semester of my next school year. I am beyond excited, but also beyond nervous. Change is hard to accept sometimes, and this is one of those times.
I’ll admit my flaws and worries in hopes that other people can relate and find comfort in the wisdom I’ve seen God place into my heart when I seek Him above all else. I’ve found myself worrying about my future in 3 different areas of my life: work, relationships, and God’s overall plan.
Work: The Internship
Just as I have a new internship this summer, many other college students are getting them as well, or at least some type of job. My internship is with The City Mission, a non-profit organization which seeks to provide help and hope to all people through the transforming power of God’s love. I will be working under the New Media Manager of the organization, and I will also be working among the poor and homeless. My initial worry was, “What if I’m not prepared enough?” or “What if I’m not best for this job?”
However, I’ve found God answering me in ways of telling me that I was chosen for this job for a reason, and He has an ultimate plan for my life. We sometimes let doubt get the best of us, when all we really need to do is remember that God has given each and every one of us different spiritual gifts. In fact, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NIV) says,
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”
Just as he determines. We must see that God has given each of us spiritual gifts, and we can work together to ultimately glorify Him with the opportunity He gives us.
Relationships
Let’s be honest, any young, single person struggles in this aspect, especially at a Christian college like mine that is known for bringing couples together. Along with being surrounded by that, I am in two weddings this summer and many of my friends are in serious relationships at college. Granted, there are plenty of singles everywhere, but it is hard not to focus on when you’re constantly surrounded by the topic of love or finding the right one.
As I’m preparing to study abroad and be away from everyone for a semester, I have become worried that it will “ruin my chances” of finding someone sooner. But as I turned to God I truly found peace and wisdom from Him showing me that it is not my turn yet… But eventually, if we patiently wait for Him, He will bring the right person into our lives in His good timing. One verse that truly brought me peace was Song of Songs 3:5 (NIV) which reads,
“Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you
by the gazelles and by the does of the field:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it so desires.”
This command is again repeated in verse 8:4. I realize that God has His perfect timing for plans in our life, and it is not our job to rush ahead of those plans. All good things come from waiting on the Lord.
God’s overall plan
One thing everyone wrestles with, especially as college students, is figuring out what God’s plan for our future is. One thing that we should truly find rest in is knowing that God already has all of our steps numbered. Isaiah 48:17 (NIV) says,
“This is what the LORD says– your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.'”
If we are truly seeking Him, He will give us that which is good. The Bible promises us that God will direct our paths, so why should we worry about our future? His way is good and perfect, and we need to run on the path of righteousness.
Worrying will add nothing to our life. Rest in the peace that God wants only what is truly best for our life, no matter what paths He leads us down. One last verse to leave you with comfort in His promises is one of my favorites, Matthew 6:34, which reads,
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Go confidently in the way of the Lord!