Let it be Jesus

Time flies.

I can't believe I'm a college senior and have only a year left to supposedly "figure out what I'm going to do with my life forever!" Yeah, right.

I know the questions will never end as I find myself asking some of them to others too- "What are you doing after you graduate?" "Will you be staying in Rochester or heading back to India?" "You want to teach in India right?"

My answer: I have no idea. All I know is that God has a plan. A perfect one.

These last 3 years have been tough. They have also been an incredible experience and I would not change a thing about them. I have made the best friends. I have proven to myself and my stubborn mind that all things are possible with Christ. And I have come far. I love that God wanted me here and again and again He reminds me of that. Whom shall I fear? He continually puts that phrase in my head. And He also continually proves it. He has and will always be right beside us.

It's been three years of searching. Searching for why God wanted me here. Searching for the feeling of home and comfort. Searching for friends and people who truly care about me. Searching in my heart to accept what others say about me. Searching for people I can minister to and make their day a bit brighter. Searching. Discovering the Indian in me become obvious to all those around me but at the same time feeling American. Feeling American but still feeling foreign all the time. Searching.

It's been three years of humbling myself to ask the stupid questions. Some days were hard as I'd hide behind my simple nod, hoping a friend (with their blank stare or shocked look) wouldn't ask me, "You know what that is, right?"
I am learning, however, that I cannot please everyone and I should never have that mindset anyway. I am learning that laughing at yourself feels so good. I do it often actually!

It's been three years of battling with myself. My thoughts, my feelings, and my stubborn attitude. God reminded me today once again- "Whom shall I fear?" He is the stronghold of our lives and if we let Him- He'll hold us tight and guide us every step of our way. The battle belongs to the Lord.

If we let Him.
I have realized that I have not let Him. I wanted control. I needed to feel at home. I needed to have friends. I need. Me, myself, and I. There was no God. When things went well- I thanked Him. When things were rough- I asked for His help. BUT- I did not let Him have me. ALL OF ME. Everything.

This is one of my favorite worship songs now. I love this section:

"Should I ever be abandoned
Should I ever be acclaimed
Should I ever be surrounded by the fire and the flame
There's a name I will remember
There's a name I will proclaim
Let it be, Let it be Jesus

 

For me, to live is Christ
For me, to live is Christ
God I breathe Your name above everything
Let it be, Let it be Jesus"

Yes, the last three years were tough. God was right beside me and He helped me through them though. I am so thrilled and excited to see what's next. I have been searching a lot. I am grateful to say the search for a lot of those things is over. The only search left is in Christ. I will always and forever seek Him. A college senior....... never in my dreams did I think it would even be possible. With Christ all things are possible. Whom shall we fear?

He has been faithful- why will He stop now?

You don't have to have it all together all the time. Give all you are to God and let Him take control. Let Him take your wheel and direct you. Trust me- it feels like real freedom. Real Joy.

Let it be Jesus. Every time.
















 

Hold On

HOLD ON- He knows what He's doing.

In the midst of chaos, Jesus is my Helper. My best friend. My Savior, Deliverer, Comforter, King. My Dad, my Healer. Are you barely holding on? Are you struggling through your days trying to see His love for you? Are you at the end of your rope? Is nothing going your way, by your plans or dreams or hopes?

HOLD ON- He knows what He's doing.

Why is it so hard to believe that God knows best? And that His ways are better than we could ever imagine.
It is easy to talk about and tell our friends we believe that all things work for the good and that God knows the plan and walks ahead of us......... but when it comes down to it- we ponder all the questions listed above multiple times. 

HOLD ON- He knows what He's doing.

I have realized the power behind this statement. Believing that God's promises are true and that they are being accomplished day after day is miraculous. He really does know what He is doing. All the time. 

I look back through the years of disappointments and trial and can see His faithfulness stream through. Every time I'd call on Him- He'd come. He would fill me up again. And I believe that WITH HIM all things are possible.

HOLD ON-He knows what He's doing. 

I am so in awe of His grace in my life I am overwhelmed. I am overwhelmed by His love for me. All my questions and worries and days of being on edge and wondering why I'm where I am........ If I look up to Him, He's right there. He's been behind and gone before and knows all that is to come. Believe that promise. I get days of great hurt and pain- when I think of the places I have had to leave behind, and the millions of goodbyes I've had to say, and the unknown future ahead...... but when I think of all that God has done through me and in me- I am overwhelmed by His greatness. I am satisfied in His presence. When we call on His name, He is listening. Call out to Jesus. Speak His name. He is coming to rescue you. 

HOLD ON- He knows what He's doing.

These last few weeks I have felt like my rope is almost out. My patience is running thin, my love is running out, and my motivation is disappearing. Distractions get in the way, excuses are made, and confusion and chaos seems to win. I have been reminded that Jesus is my Helper. He will get me through and that I can ask Him to fill me up again. I can receive love and patience and grace from Him. I just need to ask. I challenge you this week to HOLD ON. Hold onto Jesus. With everything in you. With ALL of you.

He knows what He's doing. TRUST Him. Let go of all control and the pain from the past and the worries of the future........ Let Him lead and guide. Give your burdens to Him. He has already won. Be satisfied in Him and Him alone. He loves us no matter what. 

Christ is enough for us. He is our everything. He is all we need. Imagine if all you had left was Jesus- Would you still say these words? Do you believe that He is enough for you?

HOLD ON- He knows what He's doing in you, through you, and to you. 

Faith!

I have not written in so long. It feels good to start writing again. I hope to continue my blog focusing more on "just me!" and having an opportunity to share all the faithfulness of God in my life. The first few posts were specifically for a college class assignment and now I hope to just write. Join me as I hope to share my life a little and hopefully challenge you too.

Writing is my passion. I enjoy sharing my life with others. I enjoy talking. I enjoy helping others see how incredible and great our God is. I enjoy seeing others eyes being opened to all the beautiful things God has in store for them. I see such potential in others. God's love is so amazing. I am in awe of His mercy and faithfulness in my life.

Faith? What does it truly mean? What does it mean for you?
Do we honestly seek Christ everyday? Do you?

Faith for me is more than words can describe or possibly explain. It is life. Growing up amongst worlds, between cultures, and missing "homes", I have learned that without faith, I don't know if I'd make it through a day. Learning to let go of ALL that I could be in control of in my life is not an easy lesson...... but once understood and taken the risk to try it- It's beautiful!

Take the risk to let go! Take the risk to LET GOD be the one who controls your life and guides your every move. I am currently on break from college. I get a week off! Breaks are never an easy time for me as I miss India and being with family as most others get that privilege. I have learned however, that through the years- FAITH is what gets me through.

I have faith to believe that each day is in His hands. Each day HE takes care of my family across the world. HE takes care of my every move. I struggle when others have a strict plan on everything they do in their lives. Life seems so much harder when we plan it all ourselves.  It's difficult for me because my life has been forced to accept FAITH. My lifestyle has been ALL about faith each moment. 

I have no idea what my future holds. I have no idea when I get to go home. Will I see my parents this summer? What tomorrow holds. What I will do this summer. Who I will end up marrying? If I ever get married? Where I will live when I'm 22? I have NO idea. But this unknown. This unknown lifestyle and room for GOD TO move. It all becomes a miracle. Every day is a miracle in my eyes. I am lucky and blessed to be alive. Don't get me wrong- this whole lifestyle of not knowing what is to come is extremely SCARY! But it's exciting!!!! It's so wonderful to know that when we give it ALL to God He DOES use us. He does carry us. He wants to use our faith in Him to make a difference. I have realized this recently.


Being away from all that I am used to and basically "studying abroad for 4 years" is a challenge. BUT with God ALL things are possible. Just look back in your life- the past 5 years. Think about all you have come through and learned. God wants us to take risks with Him. He wants to shower us with His plans and His will for our lives. Are we letting Him? Are YOU giving Him room to take control? Are YOU giving Him space? Are YOU taking that risk to LET GO and have the faith that moves mountains. I challenge you to take a step of faith. Get out of your comfort zone. 

Trust me- Life is SO much more of an adventure if we learn to have FAITH in ALL we do.
Experience God today-- Surrender every plan to HIM. Learn to meditate on His Word and He will USE YOU. Have faith that moves mountains- because WITH HIM ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

I can proudly say that living outside the box, living completely not in my comfort zone and being forced to just have faith- has blessed me. Life is so exciting!

Just have a little FAITH today. :)