The Reasons Why

I'm about to make a move (literally) that is going to take me away from so many things that I'm going to miss dearly. My best friend. My church that I am just wild about. My niece. My family. My job that I love. But underneath it all, I know that this move is orchestrated by God. Of that I have no doubt. I'm going to be working with people that I greatly respect, in an environment that I thrive in. Back on a college campus. I'm anxious to be back in a classroom, taking classes. I'm anxious to be back among college students, ministering to them, challenging them to be better men and women. I'm anxious to go back and make a difference in that community.

One of the things the Lord impressed upon my heart as I began debating about this decision was that this generation of college students and youth are going to witness and be a part of a movement that is unlike anything God has ever done before. I spoke at a high school baccalaureate service back in June and the following quote was in the program:

"Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, there is a generation of young spiritual leaders about to arise who will not eat the food offered to the idols of their generation. They also will be confronted and tested by the conjurers, the sorcerers, and wise men of this age, but will be found to have ten times more wisdom than all of them. The Lord himself will walk with them in the midst of the fire, and they will not be burned. They will stand as a witness and turn many to the worship of the only God of heaven and earth. Every attack against them will only result in greater authority and esteem." ~ Pastor Bill Click

It nearly stopped me in my tracks and that's when I knew I had to go. I believe God is up to something in this generation and I don't want to miss it. But I also know the devil is up to something, too, in this generation. I should not be so deceived into thinking that he will not be working just as hard to make sure the exact opposite happens.

"Don't be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse...addicted to lust, and allergic to God. These are the kind of people who...take up with every new religious fad that calls itself 'truth.' " 2 Timothy 3, MSG

So as hard as it is sometimes to pick up and move yet again, it seems that's the only life I know anymore. Always on the move, always on the go. Excited to be in a new place, but always too afraid to stay for long.

Exiting Gracefully

There is something extremely cathartic about writing. When you actually have the discipline to do it, that is. That's half the battle, actually sitting down to write down whatever it is that comes to mind.

I'm finding my life keeps taking turns, some expected, some unexpected. But somehow I keep managing to put one foot in front of the other. I keep managing to pick up the pieces when my heart gets broken. I keep managing to turn my face to God even when the world around me is telling me to do otherwise.

"There's a trick to the graceful exit. It begins with the vision to recognize when a job, a life stage, a relationship is over — and to let go. It means leaving what's over without denying its validity or its past importance in our lives. It involves a sense of future, a belief that every exit line is an entry, that we are moving on, rather than out. It's hard to learn that we don't leave the best parts of ourselves behind, back in the dugout or the office. We own what we learned back there. The experiences and the growth are grafted onto our lives. And when we exit, we can take ourselves along — quite gracefully." Ellen Goodman, columnist