At the edge of darkness, there is always light. ~ Anonymous
Do you ever feel like you have a plan set in place, only to have it change in the blink of an eye? Then what? It may feel like you’re fumbling around in the dark, trying to get your bearings.
But, we don’t need to fumble. We can walk in faith, trusting God instead of ourselves, our status, or our possessions. God walks with us during those times when we don’t have a clue as to what’s going on. We don’t need to fear change nor the darkness.
I’ve had some unexpected changes come my way recently, and in less than two months, change is going to impact me like it’s never done before. Next month, I will be finishing up my Contextual Education here at House of Prayer. I am so blessed and so thankful for the time I have spent here, getting to know you and do the work of our Lord together. Thank you for embracing me with open arms. J
I will also be taking a year-long student leave from my position at Caribou Coffee, where I have worked for 3 ½ years. Once again, I am so blessed and thankful for the people I’ve come to know through working there, both coworkers and customers. J
And, in case you haven’t heard, I am the new intern pastor at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Rochester. I start on August 19th, so I will be moving sometime before then. I will be entering a whole new environment…Walking in faith with the One Who will never leave me…Who will never leave you. J We don’t need to fear change nor the darkness.
Life may not always go the way we planned it, but as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:12-13, “Now I know only in part; then I will know fully even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love” (NRSV). As we know only in part, God fully knows us and fully loves us. “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18, NRSV). We don’t need to fear change nor the darkness.
Have you had some unexpected events come your way? My prayers are with you. I recently found the following poem, which reminds me that even when life doesn’t go the way I had planned, I’m not alone. God loves and walks with us, and we love and walk with one another. In addition, God always gives us what we need, not necessarily what we want. What is it that you might “know only in part” today? We don’t need to fear change nor the darkness. J
I asked God for strength, that I might achieve, I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey…
I asked for health, that I might do greater things, I was given infirmity, that I might do better things…
I asked for riches, that I might be happy. I was given poverty, that I might be wise… I asked for power, that I might have the praise of all,I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God…
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,I was given life, that I might enjoy all things…
I got nothing that I asked for—but everything I had hoped for,
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am among all people most richly blessed. ~ Anonymous
Peace and Blessings to Each One of You, Caroline