The triumphs and trials of a Christ centered life...

Wow, I haven't blogged for a few years now. I was reminded tonight how helpful blogging is in allowing me to express my thoughts and refocus spiritually. It's probably a habit that I should get back into. It's funny because I often find myself restless after a spurt of business. That's how this semester has been so far, super busy. But, I'm so thankful to have the opportunities that God has blessed me with so I have nothing to complain about. Recently I've been thinking a lot about how the Lord takes His children through different stages in life. Although external circumstances may change, ultimately there will always be that longing for heaven but contentment to be on the Earth and serve in whatever way the Lord has called. I don't always feel like the day to day activities in my life carry that much meaning. Sometimes, I really have to fight for contentment because things start to feel mundane. However, the interesting thing is that; though many times I can't see it, even the most minute part of each day have some significance in the picture of my life that God is painting. I might not always feel it, but it's true. For instance, during the "down" years of distance learning high school leading up to college, I often felt that my life would probably be pretty predictable. I figured that I would spend the foreseeable future in my parents' backyard jumping on the trampoline. But then, the next minute, I got my driver's license! Then I got a job at Arby's. I worked at Arby's for a few months and then, after planning to attend a local charter school for my senior year, watched as God somehow brought me through considering going to The Master's College to definitely going to the Master's College to skipping my last year of high school to go to The Master's College in the matter of a few weeks. Then came that wonderful preparation summer. Hope, excitement, and anticipation brimmed from my countenance. And now I wait. Looking over the horizon, wondering what the Lord could possibly have in store for the future. My circumstances and my life have changed continually but the constant in the midst of all the change is God's faithfulness. He has kept me, protected me, provided for me, blessed me, encouraged me, and guided me. I make the best plans that I can with what God places in front of me but ultimately I am carried whatever direction He takes me in. My heart is not always encouraged; I don't always feel great. But two things I know: God allows and God provides. I encourage you to seek the Lord wherever you are at in life; He will give you direction and place you wherever He wants you to be in this world. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." Psalm 46: 10-11 Josh