My purpose. My future. My hope. My God?
Throughout high school I was constantly looking forward to college, yes I was that girl. To me, college was the solution to my discontent heart. I unknowingly idolized what I thought to be the "college experience." College was the extent to which my future was set in stone. After college all I desired was to get married and have kids (I know, so stereotypical). I’d placed so much hope in the joy I planned to find in the exciting new environment, and numerous people had assured me that these were going to be the greatest years of my life, my prime. So much promise and anticipation!
Yet here there I was. Nearing the end of my first semester: anxious, stressed, defeated, restless, and uninspired.
Let's venture back to the third week of school. The newness has worn off, and schedules and studying are in full swing. The harsh reality has set in; college is hard work! When there aren't enough hours in the day, and there is ALWAYS homework to be done, prayer life, and personal devotional time are marginalized.
As long as I can remember I've been very focused on the future, whether it be the next hour or the next ten years, I'm a planner by nature. I entered the school year as the idealist I truly am with my five-year plan in hand, ready to conquer the world, participate in every school event, and enjoy every glamorous moment. Yet, just a couple months into the school year, and all the confidence I'd placed in my own strength was diminished. I was in despair, and reluctant to pick up the pieces. I'd become uncertain of my major, my calling, and my purpose in this life. With only a few weeks left of the semester I still didn’t know what the future held, but I finally had accepted that I was where God wanted me.
I do not know if you can personally relate to this specific situation, but the scriptures God pointed me to during this time of need are applicable to every believer as 2 Timothy 3:16 boldly proclaims, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
As I introduce the encouragement God’s word gave me during this time of despair, I’d like to testify that God is still undoubtedly working through me, through me weaknesses. What I've relearned from these rough months is that I can do nothing by my own strength, and that God most definitely has a perfect plan for my life, even in the midst of failure. Growing up in a Christian community, I’d heard this truth proclaimed time and time again, but through this trial, it was validated.
My mother recently pointed me back to Psalm 119: 105," Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path," as she so eloquently reminded me that God's plan for my life will be made known when he chooses, and no amount of stressing or feverishly scrambling around has the power to change that. As I looked more closely at Psalm 119, verse 2 caught my attention. "Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!" And I realized something I'd been overlooking. How can I seek God with my whole heart if I don’t even trust his plan for my life?
To seek God with my whole heart means not worrying about tomorrow, after all:
"... tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble," Matthew 6:34.
"Whatever you do, work hearty, as for the Lord, and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:23-24
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
These scriptures, concise as they may be, form the framework of the Christian life worth living, the very life we are called to live once we leave our sinful ways behind and follow Christ.
I wholeheartedly understand that this is far easier said than done, but we have no biblical justification to live a life that contradicts these principles in any way. The Christian life is not promised to be easy, but as we walk through theses valleys of dryness, temptation or fear, God reveals Himself in the biggest of ways.
It's my prayer that these words are encouraging to you, and that I have presented God's word accurately. Thank you so much for reading my first blog post EVER, and I'm praying there will be many more to come!
All the glory and honor to him who speaks through me,
Megan Drew











