Come On God, Hurry Up!

   

At the age of 12 how was I to know that in a year I would be flying off on my own to New York 

City? How was I to know that a year after that I would be embarking on an even greater 

adventure to a small country on the opposite side of the world? How was I too know that I would stand up in front of a village, composed of more than fifty people, and share my testimony and the Gospel of Jesus Christ? At the age of twelve I had no idea about the crazy adventure that God was going to send me on. I only got a glimpse...

  
  It all started three years ago when I attended a youth conference with my youth group. At the time I had no idea that, when I stepped into that arena, the course of my life was going to be completely redirected. While at this conference the speakers shared of people all over the world who had never heard the name 'Jesus Christ.' They shared of orphans who were starving and just wanted someone to love and cherish them. They told of people that were hopelessly lost and needed the love and hope of Christ so desperately. As I sat there listening and taking in all that they were saying, God began to slowly put in my heart the desire to go and be a light to these people. I wanted to bring them the hope and love of the amazing God who had changed my life in a way that is completely indescribable.

  
   For a long time after the conference, throughout my everyday life, God continued to impress upon my heart this dream. I remember one night I was lying in bed, waiting for sleep to come, when I had a vision. In the vision I was running around and playing with some orphans in the country of Africa. I immediately new that that was where God wanted me to go. It was one of those things that I was just so certain about. So I took action.

     
   I brought the matter to my parents but, when we really thought about it, the details of the trip were not going to work out and I was devastated. I was sure that God had told me Africa and I wanted to fulfill His 'request.' My dad suggested a few other trips and, although sad, I agreed on the trip to New York City. I would soon come to realize that although it did not work out to go to Africa, it didn't mean that God was done with me or was wrong. Through that trip I grew in my confidence and understanding of God and what it means to have a true relationship with Him. I came home from the trip pumped and hyped up, all excited about getting to go to Africa the next summer.

     
   When the next summer came around, though, it again didn't work out and I ended up going on a different trip to the small country of Romania in Europe. While I was excited for the trip I was still sad about not being able to go to Africa. I remember thinking 'Why God? Why would you put that desire in my heart and then not bring it to life?' While in Romania, though, I grew even deeper in my faith and confidence. I was pushed past my limits and my comfort zone was stretched to the breaking point. At the time I found it scary and exciting all at the same time. Again, I came home and was all pumped and hyped up again, because certainly now I could go to Africa. I would finally be able to go do what God had first placed on my heart. I had waited a while, now was the time. Three times a charm right? Woo hoo! Then God was just like, "Haha, nope." 

   
   Now here I am, three years since that night in my room, sitting in the sweltering heat writing this blog post. God has decided that I need a break. So this summer I am here. At home. Nowhere else. Just me, my laptop, some books, a chore list, and boredom. But, even though, I admit, my summer has been kind of boring, I also admit that I'm enjoying the break. I am glad to have the time to reflect on the past two summers of my life and to spend time deepening my relationship with God. I look back now and realize that over these three years God has been preparing me for what He has to come. He has been preparing me for the ministry in Africa that I will do someday. I now realize that, if I had gone that first summer, I would've never been ready.  All that I have learned and gained through these past experiences will help me immensely in God's future plans for me. Although, at the time I could not see it, God had everything planned out. He always did. I just had to remember to trust Him with what He was going to do.
   There is a verse in the Bible that I think of often when I am struggling with waiting on God.

  
         "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."   ~ Psalm 37:4

   
   If you are having a hard time waiting on God for something in your life just remember this verse. If you "delight yourself in (Him)," you spend time in his word and talk to Him, He will "give you the desires of your heart." He will fulfill His plan for your life in His own time. You just have to keep your trust and faith in Him because, believe me, He knows exactly what He's doing. I mean, He's God right?

   My mother used to use this analogy when she was trying to explain the concept of God's timing to me when I was younger. She used the example of someone just walking along, going about their everyday routine, and stumbling upon a bright, shiny quarter lying on the ground. This person wasn't searching for the coin, they just happened to stumble upon it. It's like that with us, we shouldn't be using up all of our energy searching for something that is not meant to be at the time. We should be focusing all of our energy on God and His direction. We shouldn't worry about all the details or the destination, because God has it covered. He knows more than we ever will about our lives and He promises to love us and guide us in the right direction. There will be ups and downs throughout the journey and it may be difficult. But you just have to grab God's hand, hold on tight and trust Him to guide you on your amazing adventure.