God is SO GOOD! FAITHFUL! KIND! MERCIFUL! LOVING! GRACIOUS! Let me share with you how I’ve experienced this in my life by telling you about how God met me where I was and how he has led me to where I am now.

In Fall 2021, the beginning of senior year, I was constantly asked what I was doing next. My answer was that I didn’t know. For most, that could be a scary thing with graduation quickly approaching, feeling as though the pressure of the world is on your shoulders, and the next steps knocking at your door. This was true for me. Whenever I was asked, I would grow anxious and worried because I hadn’t figured out what I was going to do. That was just the thing God was teaching me and waiting for me to realize. I didn’t need to figure it out, but I needed to submit to His authority over my life, surrender my will and way to his, and trust in his perfect plan for my future that He’d reveal to me according to his timing. Once I did this, it was like a weight was lifted off and I found a new peace amidst all the unknown.

On an early October morning, I was on my way to school, and “Spirit Lead Me” by Influence Music began to play. As the song was playing, I began crying out to Abba Father for the Holy Spirit to lead me. Although my future was unclear to me, I had the blessed assurance of knowing the One who holds my future. He met me in that moment and comforted my soul. He reminded me that he is in control of everything, loves and cares for me like no other, and works all things out for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). Fast forward five months, and I was driving home from school on that same road when I got a phone call that I was accepted to World Race Gap Year. Wow!!! I would love to share all about how the Lord worked in the six months that led to that moment, but time and space simply don’t allow. I will summarize it by saying that I never walked alone. My God went before me with a purposeful plan and guided me each step of the way even when I didn’t know where I was going.

Billy Graham once said, “The will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.” While I did not know where He would take me, I hopefully clung to the truth that wherever it was his grace would sustain me. Giving up control over your life and saying “yes” to whatever God calls you to may feel like a scary and challenging leap, but it is the most freeing gift God offers – to follow Him. Luke 9:23 says, “Then he said to them all, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’” I want to encourage you with my testimony that denying myself, taking up my cross, trusting in Jesus Christ alone as my Savior, and following Him is the best decision I will ever choose. It is my prayer that you would choose Jesus to be your Savior and Lord.

If you’ve made it this far, thank you, and I hope that you are encouraged by how amazing God is!

“Never Walk Alone” by Hillsong Worship https://open.spotify.com/track/0gtUR7Wh1B94KWyZDiGhJo?si=0a56e667fe9d48cc

“Spirit Lead Me” by Influence Music https://open.spotify.com/track/4T4mQpaA4wAj8FYYFVrRN5?si=faa4b4d96a63493c