Growth is often painful and scary. There is no growth without change; there is no change without fear or loss; and there is no loss without pain. –Rick Warren
I was reading my daily reading plan before I began my studying for the day and I read this quote from none other than Rick Warren. I read a lot of things that he writes, and they always tend to relate back to my current life stage in some way. It’s cool how God does that with quotes and songs and even entire albums, like Tori Kelly’s new album Hiding Place 😍👌🙌. It is amazing!! If you haven’t listened yet you most definitely should because…wow. I can’t even choose a favorite the entire album from beginning to end is incredible.
But I digress, I read this devotion about growth and it stuck out to me because it is kind of where I am currently. I’ve written about growth a few times in the last few months because currently I am doing a lot of growing. Growing up, growing into myself and my calling whatever it may be. (Chasing Imperfection, Growing Pains) A couple of weeks ago at bible study the question was asked ‘do you know your place?’ The question was asked regarding knowing your place in the church, but I feel like you can’t really know that until you know your place in the world. And let me tell you while it is sometimes the best feeling ever to feel yourself changing and becoming more like the person that God made you to be it can also suck because questions like that are tough to answer. At least they are tough for me. It feels like there is a new change every day. I am getting closer to graduation and that means closer to making the decision about what is next. After my year off do I continue working or get a masters? Do I stay here in Louisiana or move somewhere else? If I get a masters do I stay with my exercise physiology path or switch to something else? I can always go back and get my PhD in it. Research or no? Can I even do it? The questions are endless.
The truth is I believe I know what is next, I just don’t know how it is going to happen, and because of that I tend to overthink. Thankfully my Abba knows this and draws me back to Him often.
In this season of growth there is a lot of fear – of the unknown, of the future, the what ifs and more. It’s when these fears and others come up that I feel God calling me to come sit at his feet for a bit so that he can pour into me and remind me that He is writing my story and I can do anything with Him leading me. I don’t have to fear the unknown because he knows it all, and in His timing I will too.
The loss, so far, I don’t know what I have lost…I am sure that time will tell. I mean, I can feel myself becoming more of an adult even though technically have been one for about 7 years now. I can see myself becoming more responsible and more attentive – even when it seems like I’m not. I am still pretty optimistic about branching out and living on my own. I know it won’t always be easy, but I trust that I am prepared to face whatever life has to throw my way and that is all I can do.
Even when it hurts, the idea and reality that I am a masterpiece being created by my Abba, and when He is finished I will be perfect, makes it all worth it.
But first I have to pass physics and make it to December. Spring will take care of itself.
One Step at a time
Soundtrack
Tori Kelly – Hiding Place (album)
