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| "Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower." |
About three
weeks ago, I closed a chapter of the life that doesn't belong to me, but only
belongs to my Creator. He has fearfully and wonderfully made me in His image
for He knows who I was, am, and will be. He is my all and ultimate love. He is
more than enough to me!
I know that
He has, is, and will always be there for me; for those who seek Him; for those
who ask for Him; for those who are in need; for those who want to know him; for
He wants us to seek Him, ask for Him, need Him, want to know Him. Matthew
7:7-8.
Not knowing
this before beginning the journey as a college student four years ago did not
make the journey an easy one…
Through the
grace of God, I graduated from college after enduring four tough, challenging,
and life changing years. Through this experience, I have made long-lasting
friendships, have learned about who I truly am, have grown in my faith for
Christ, and much more. Let me just mention that during these years, I went
through so much that now I look back and can happily say I lived by the motto
"It's not the years in the life that count, but the life in the
years." However, not everything was perfect; isn't that why we call this
life? There were times in which I just wanted to give up, drop everything, and
forget about life. Even in those times, I would remind myself what I was doing
was not for my own sake, but for the glory of our Creator. I was reminded I
shouldn't care whether I was getting credit for the work or not or if at the
end of the day I was going to fall dead tired (figuratively speaking) on my bed
after a busy day. Shouldn't we all be living God's plan for us? To glorify Him
in everything we do? For it's not about what we do for Him but what He did for
us on the cross. Yes, there you have it. That was the reminder that would burst
my bubble in the midst of my struggles, and even in the good things. This is
one of the things I learned as I walked this path.
Throughout
this journey, I also learned the importance of love. Not just the love people
give to their "special someone," but the unconditional love we get
from those who truly care about us and vice versa. Often times, I would
find myself thinking about the relationships I had created with many of the
people in college. These people proved to have been placed in my life by God
for a reason. And when I say for a reason, trust me it was for the best. With
these relationships I learned so much that I would not change them even though
we faced many tough moments. Some of the people I developed friendships with
left their footprints in my journey and have stuck with me, while others have
left but not without allowing me to learn from them. Do not get me wrong, the
pain that comes to let go of those who had significance in my life was
unbearable at times. However, even then I knew He was there with me; He has and
will always be the One; He will never disappoint me when others do. Believe
that God puts people in life for a reason. He also has the power to take those
people away from you for the best. He knows better, just trust in Him.
As I
finished my last year of college, I realized that I had grown so much in my
spiritual life. I had come to college as a lukewarm Christian, spiritually dead
inside but wanting and desiring to learn about God. My walk with God on a
Christian campus was challenged. In the challenge I knew the Holy Spirit was
working in me, for that was what I had asked God for. I asked and He answered.
At the same time, the people I had (unintentionally) surrounded myself with
shaped my life. Even when they were different than me and were of different
walks in their faith, they taught me to seek truth for the glory of Him. We are
not perfect, that I know, but we sure allowed ourselves to learn from one
another. I know my journey with some of them is done, but I also know that I am
thankful for those who were part of these four years and still are.
My journey
here is not done yet. My beginning of a beautiful chapter is just starting. I
know that in the midst of this, I will be faced with challenges, new
friendships, love, risks, and much more. However, I know I can trust our
Creator for He knows the plans He has in store for me. I may not be able to see
them now, but I know He will show them to me as I live His plan each day. I am
ready for the challenge for this is the beginning in the end.
