Faithful and constant. Two words that have come to describe God for me this year. But I am not the only one who has experienced God in this way over the last year...
My younger brother, Noah, shared his faith story this past Sunday at church for Youth Sunday. He sent me a copy earlier in the week. All I can say is WOW! He talked about how he has lost several people in his life this year, relationships changed, and he found himself feeling lonely and discouraged. One after another, some of the most important relationships in his life took on a totally new light: marriage, a foreign country, death... However, the amazing part of this story that both melted my heart and caused it burst with pride was how Noah found a deeper relationship with Christ through the losses. He shared that he felt God speaking this transformational truth into his life, "Yes, you've lost several people in your life, but I'm still here. Am I not enough? Why is your happiness based on those around you and not on Me, who has promised to never leave you nor forsake you?" W.O.W.
When I first read his sermon, I was simply lost in the joy of knowing my brother's heart had been captured by God in a very real way. But as I have read it since then, the truth that God spoke into his life has been something that has challenged me.
My time here is flying by faster than I ever could have imagined. And all the while, the only thing that I can count on as normal is that there is no normalcy! As soon as I get settled and things become routine, the game changes and suddenly I am called to serve somewhere else. In that, it is easy to attempt to grasp onto those around me, those that the Lord has me serving for this period of time, for my happiness and joy. Being a part of these lives has been transformational, and each experience that God has gifted me with He has also used to refine me and work within me. But the time will come that these relationships will draw to an end, and when that time comes, my hope is that I can remember the truth that was spoken into Noah's life this year... Joy in a faithful and constant God.
Right now it is easy to find that joy and fullness in Christ. After all, I am living my dream surrounded by amazing people that God has gifted me with for this season. But the real test will come when I return to the states and face the bittersweet of ending one chapter to start the next.
