Prioritizing
When Greg began seminary and our church launched its new campus on the west side of town, all my friends from college began attending that campus because it was just easier. Less of a commute. More geared towards college students.
That left me in a pinch. Going to church was painfully difficult without the ease of known friendships. We were attending a class on Sundays where the median age was twice what mine was. I just kept wishing that God would plan something different for me and Greg. Why did Greg have to be on the east side of town for his seminary internship?
After months (yes, months, poor Greg) of Greg being the only driving force getting me to that Sunday class, I finally began to see why God never changed our plan. I needed to be right where I was. Nowhere else. That's where God wanted me to draw close to Him (this was much easier to type than it was to live/is to live).
I stopped dragging my feet and put away my puppy dog eyes when it was time for class. Was I still the youngest person in the class? Yes. Was it still sometimes awkward and hard to talk to new people? Yes. But, was there something much bigger than me that God wanted me to focus on? Absolutely. Were there people in that class I needed to learn from? Without a doubt.
I am so thankful for the community in our class. I wouldn't have sought that for myself. God brought it to me. He knew.
So, for next semester, I know that I want to invest more in and learn more from the people God has put around me. For me, that means rearranging my thermodynamics lecture so that I can attend the ladies' study for our class.
3 months ago, that prioritizing would have been painfully hard, and I would've made that scheduling change begrudgingly (which, I may add, is absolutely ridiculous-plain old selfish). But, today I can joyfully say that I want to attend that Bible study. There's no other place I want to be! Because if what I want is to follow God and God hasn't led me to another place, then this is my spot. To grow. To Learn. To go through with a gracious and loving Savior.
“In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”