Put it Into Action

Sometimes God's sense of humor just makes me laugh... After I figure out it's funny.

My last two posts have been on waiting and being patient, and being patient while you wait. All of which I've been trying very hard to do in my every day life, especially in regards to waiting to find out if I was accepted to a particular college. It's been a little over 4 weeks since I applied, and I've been waiting (for the most part patiently) to hear back from them. I'd kind of gotten into the groove of just.. Not worrying about it. I'd applied, and there was nothing further I could do. Or so I was telling myself ;-).

Then, last night I was talking with a friend about it. About how even though not knowing what was going on with it was slightly frustrating, it was a great chance to sit back and wait and see what God was going to do.

Today I found out that my application had been "lost." As far as the University is concerned, I haven't applied, but for some reason they have my transcripts sitting on their desk... Lovely. Not going to lie, I wasn't thrilled with that bit of information. I went into the break room, sat down, and prayed... Prayed that God would help me not to freak, and show me something through it. Finding out an application that was supposed to be "early" became "not so early" is kind of frustrating. I e-mailed my advisor up there, and while we don't know where the application went, I was able to re-apply online and they should receive it on Monday.

*heaves sigh of relief*

So once I finished all my e-mailing and calling and such (which according to my boss, I did calmly), I realized. Everything I've been trying to practice about patience lately, paid off a little bit today. And, on top of that - instead of freaking, I prayed. Granted, there was a little bit of freaking, but I've reapplied and all is good.

Now the question is, why did I just post that? Because it amazes me how God prepares us for things that we are going to encounter. When we truly start to trust Him and His plan, things like this don't send us into a crazy tizzy. Instead, we can go to Him and find comfort, or peace. Or both. He tells us not to worry about tomorrow, because He has it under control. We just need to stay in the here and now, trusting His will.

Waiting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb7TSGptd3Y

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

So many of my friends can not WAIT to be done with college, done with school, and on to the next biggest and greatest thing. They feel like they don't know where they're going, what they're doing, or why they're doing what they're doing.
Honestly, I love where I am. Starting year number 2 of college, and not being exactly sure where I'm going next (Even if I do have a pretty good idea). But I've got an amazing family, great church, and incredible friends that I love dearly!
Part of the adventure is waiting. Waiting to see what exactly God has in store next. It's not an "insert Jeopardy music here" kind of waiting, but an exciting, "night before Christmas as a little kid" kind of waiting. For a sophomore in College, I've already seen many things that have helped me to relax a little on life. Sure, the idea that I don't know what exactly I'm doing can be intimidating, but I know that the only way I can get to where I'm supposed to be is to trust.
Life can be great, and sometimes it can really bite. But I'm so excited now to see what is next. I have ideas, but nothing is in stone yet. I could be anywhere next year. I'd love to be here, but I'd love to be somewhere else if that's where God wants me.
Wherever I end up, I'm excited about this year of "waiting." It's a time to move ahead and wait at the same time. It might sound weird to say I'm waiting, but I'm giving my everything. But I am. It's a time to serve, to Love, to grow in my Faith, to worship, live loud, and make memories that will last forever... Who knows what's next (besides God!), so, "Here goes nothing, and here goes everything!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S97O9395rgc

Never got anywhere
By running away
Never learned anything
Without anything
without a mistake
Never loved anyone
By playing it safe
It's a long way, but
I'm right here now, so...

Here goes nothing,
Here goes everything
Gotta reach for something
or you'll fall for anything
Take a breath,
Take a step,
What comes next
God only knows
But here goes

I don't wanna turn around
and wonder what happened
Never lost and never found
Are one and the same
I wanna run across the battle lines
And take my chances
Not the long way 'round
When I'm here right now

What good is chance not taken,
What good is life not living,
What good is love not given?

Here goes nothing,
Here goes everything
Gotta reach for something
or you'll fall for anything
Here goes nothing,
Here goes everything
Gotta reach for something
or you'll fall for anything
Take a breath,
Take a step
What comes next
God only knows
But here goes
And God only knows
But here goes

Here goes nothing,
Here goes everything
Gotta reach for something
or you'll fall for anything
Take a breath,
Take a step,
What comes next
God only knows
But here goes

Joyfully Patient

We live in an "instant" world. We want it now, we expect it now, and we don't want to wait for whatever it is we want. It sounds blunt, and it is blunt. Fast food, Instant mashed potatoes, email, texting.. What happened to waiting?
When God requires us to wait, we usually aren't thrilled with the idea. We don't know His reason, He is God and we are not, so we don't always get to know why He makes us wait like He does. This is where patience comes in. You know you've heard it; "patience is a virtue." So why do we have such a hard time with it?
I was reading in Colossians this morning, when Paul is talking about how he is praying for the Colossians to be filled with the knowledge of God's will.

"We have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
So that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,

to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work
and increasing in the knowledge of God;
strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might,
for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father"
(Colossians 1:9-12)

Patience with joy. Not halfheartedly being patient because we really have no other choice, but being patient because it pleases God. And finding joy in that patience.
Whether it's waiting in line at the grocery store, dealing with a grouchy customer at work, or waiting for God's timing on something big in life, we're called to be joyously patient. To enjoy life in the time of waiting, to be a blessing to a grouchy customer that we have to deal with, to strike up a conversation with the person behind us in line at the grocery store.
Look for what God is doing in the times He is calling you to be patient. And not only that, but to give thanks to Him during that time. Look for the "little things," because more often than not, the things we perceive as being "little" are actually rather big, God-sized things. Take a deep breath, be patient, and pray that God will show you something in your patience. Believe me, when you ask Him to do that, He does.

God, You Reign.

After worship practice last week, I was walking to my car when I saw the sunset(first picture below). We had just finished practicing the song "God You Reign". Perfect timing? More like God Timing... How anyone can see sights like these, and not give praise to the One who created them, or at least wonder where they came from, is beyond me.

You paint the night, You count the stars
And You call them by name
The skies proclaim, God, You reign



Your glory shines, You teach the sun
When to bring a new day
Creation sings, God, You reign

God, You reign, God, You reign
Forever and ever, God You reign

You part the seas, You move the mountains
With the words that You say
My song remains, God, You reign

You hold my life, You know my heart
And You call me by name
I live to say, God, You reign

God, You reign, God, You reign
Forever and ever, God, You reign
God, You reign, God, You reign
I know You reign
Forever and ever, God, You reign!