As the end draws near.

"You are faithful. God you are faithful."

11 days. I have 11 days left of my freshman year of college. Where did time go? I feel like I have learned so much this past year; spiritually and knowledgeably. As I look back on this year and all that has happened I can't help but think about how much God has shown me and how much I truly have grown in my faith. As the end draws near and the final two weeks of school approach us, I can't help but think about the things God has revealed to me and rejoice in my new deeper understanding of Him and my faith.

Some beautiful truths I have learned over the past year:

• God is faithful. I have figured out over time that God is faithful. He will never leave us. He is by our side. He has us in his arms. I have learned that he is faithful to us if we are faithful unto him. If we consistently pray and seek to find God's understanding in our life, He will be faithful and show us where He plans to lead us. 
• God has a plan. I am a planner. I love to plan and think ahead and decide what the rest of my life is going to look like. I don't think it's a bad thing that I love to plan and think ahead but I also think I need to step back and let God take control. If you read in Jeremiah 29:11 it says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." We should have a hope in the Lord that He has a plan for us and He will guide us in whatever way he has set for us. 
• God is beyond all understanding. I'll be honest, I have tried so hard to try and understand God. I have tried to understand how He works and how He able to do what He does. Well guess what, you can't. You can't figure Him out. It's impossible. God is omniscient, meaning He understands everything. He IS everything. There is no way that we as humans can possibly even begin to understand how it is possible that He can know everything and understand all that happens in the world. It blows my mind. 
• God is the ultimate source of joy. I have discovered that in those times when I am upset, mad, confused, sad, stressed, whatever, that spending some time in God's word can change my whole outlook on the situation. It can bring me so much joy when things are revealed to me in the times I need to hear it the most. Go in with the attitude that in whatever situation you are in, God is going to show you something marvelous, that He is going to do something through you in the times when you think that you are to your breaking point. 

Never fear the future because, although you have no idea what it holds, God is waiting for you there. 

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18)

As my first year of college comes to an end I see how much I have grown spiritually and I pray that through my growth and new understanding I am able to be a better light to those who walk in darkness around me. In Matthew 5:14 it says, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." 

Timing is Everything.

You know those moments where something just really hits you and you think "whoa. what exactly is God trying to say to me?" That's been me lately. For the past few weeks I've been swamped with things to do and God has revealed so much to me. His timing is impeccable. It's incredible. Indescribable. It's something that blows me away every time.

The other day, my friend and I went to see the movie God's Not Dead. Wow, I have no words to describe how incredible it was. I learned so many things from this movie. More than I have time to talk about. One thing really hit me hard though, because it corresponds with my life perfectly.

"When the timing is right, somehow you'll know.
When no body stands, stand on your own."
(Hold You Up by Shane Harper)

I've been told that if we put everything in God's hands that in time and when the time is right he will reveal to us what He wants. I honestly had a hard time believing that things happened in time at a perfect time. Well now I do. I definitely believe. I have completely just given myself to him. I'm not planning my life anymore. I'm not worrying about every little detail of my future. I'm putting it all in his hands. And you know what? It's been incredible. It's been worth it. It's changed my life. It's changed my outlook on life. Things have happened to me lately and people have come into my life that have really blessed me and at the exact time that I needed these things/people.

The people that God has put in my life this year have really impacted my life in ways I didn't think existed. I'm so excited to see where the Lord leads and takes these relationships with the friends I have made here in college and the ones he is strengthening.

• Taylor- Goodness, where do I even begin? You have blessed me in so many ways. We became friends because of the strangest things, in the strangest way. I honestly don't know what I would do without you. You bring so much laughter and joy into my life! I'm thankful that we can talk about anything and everything with each other and that we are going to be able to room together next year. I see God in you. I see him in the way you talk. The way you worship. The way you go about handling situations. The love you have for people and the want you have for them to know Christ inspires me so much. I pray daily that you grow in your faith and that He speaks to you and presents you with opportunities to witness. 
• Rachel- You're one of my best friends. I love you dearly. I'm so thankful God put you in my life because I know that I would not have survived senior year without you. I actually don't think I would have made it through my first year of college without you. I know that we are 2.5 hours away from each other but that never seems to be a stopper for us. We still make each other laugh. We are still there for each other. And we still send each other letters. I pray that through everything that you are going through that God reveals himself to you and shows you that He is always with you. That he will never ever leave you. Give all you have to him and you will be amazed at how much weight is lifted off your shoulders. I love you girl. 
• Logan- Oh my, I don't know where to begin with you either. You have blessed me more than you know. Honestly. You have no idea. The fact that I can talk to you about anything and everything is something I treasure, but even more than that, your words of wisdom are beyond anything I know. You are so wise and true in what you say. It's amazing to listen to you talk about God and what you've learned or what he's said to you. You radiate him in all you do. I see him through everything you do. Your personality just shines for him and it definitely shows that you live your life wholly and truly for the Lord. You've inspired me to do the same. 

I am so thankful for what the Lord is doing in my life. I can't tell you how much giving my life to Christ has made an impact on me. Being faithful to the Lord is truly something that cannot be beat. 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)