New Challenges

This week has been more of a struggle than what I anticipated.  First, though, I thank the Lord for His faithfulness and goodness.  Without Him, this week would be even worse.

I knew that this week would be more of a transition out of mission-trip/vacation mode and back into school mode.  I didn't know that this transition would be so hard.  I have felt lonely and sad a lot this week.  I miss the Miami team and the super close community we had last week.  It's not that we can't or don't have it at Concordia, (I mean, really, we all go to the same school and see each other almost every day), but it's definitely a lot different than it was when we were in Miami.

I love these brothers and sisters in Christ so much!  My heart longs to be with them every minute of the day.  However, God keeps driving me away to quiet, intimate places with Him this week.  I was blessed with a lot of unexpected free time this week, which I used for a lot of quiet time with the Lord and for catching up on some homework (but mainly quiet time--it's more encouraging).

This week, more than ever in my life, I have learned where I put my identity, and it's not always in Christ.  Most recently, I've been putting my identity into community.  God so gently and sweetly reminded me that community is not my identity.  Community can encourage me, but it's not my source of joy and life.  Christ is my identity.  Before anything else, I am a daughter of the King.  My heart belongs to God alone.  I can go to community for prayer, encouragement, and just to hang out, but I can't go to community for fulfillment and joy in life.  Only God can give me His joy and only God can fulfill my life satisfactorily.

Right now, I ask you to reflect on your life and ask yourself where you find the most joy in your life.  If it's in anything else but God, then you need to pray for a re-centering on your Father.  He longs so deeply for your heart.  When you find your identity in Him, nothing else matters.