If I’m being honest, I’ve been living in fear of the future lately, especially in the last couple of weeks. The minute I heard, “You’re all set to graduate” leave the mouth of my advisor, I started to cry and they weren’t happy tears.
I hate change. The idea of leaving everything I’ve known behind and moving towards the future, something new and unfamiliar is terrifying.
I’ve been thinking a great deal about preparing for change when life throws curveballs into our normality. The loss of friendship, sudden death, graduating, moving out, break-ups or any other heartache happen, and suddenly, your day-to-day life is interrupted and unrecognizable. Change sets in and a new normal starts.
How do we accept change?
The truth is, we can’t. Not on our own. When uprooted from our norm – confusion and chaos can set in. It seems as though just as we get comfortable in one stage of life, suddenly, it changes and although it is challenging, change is what makes life truly unique and each stage is beautiful.
Change is about starting over. Your story is not done. God is not finished with you. His plans are perfect no matter where you stand in life. His fingertips have already been painting masterpieces for the joys and trials you will face. He is holding your future together. Just because one stage ends, does not mean your beautiful story is finished. It’s just getting started.
For me, right now, it’s graduating. The thought of leaving the very place I have come to call home is quite terrifying. The people, the community, my church, a place, where I’ve thrived, and a place I love will become distant as time goes on. I won’t be there, instead I’ll be an adult, something that I have no clue how to be or what that looks like. It’s easy to think nothing beautiful can come after something so incredible has happened in our lives. It’s easy to think that the difficult things we encounter in our lives may never change us for the better. But in reality, that’s the beautiful thing about God, new stages in life and the marvelous paths He’s planned for us.
He is not finished.
To those facing change hear me when I say that God has so much more in store for you. The change, no matter what it is, does not define you. It may feel abnormal, or be a challenge, but it is exactly where God is placing you, for an exact reason, for His kingdom. It’s hard to thrive in the uncomfortable sometimes, but it’s absolutely necessary. No matter what comes in the stage you are currently facing, you can trust that it will be remarkable.
Don’t be dismayed. God has uniquely written a path for you and you alone. He knows your heart and story and it is marvelous, unlike anything you could ever imagine.
Despite the pain that may be surrounding your heart, fear of the unknown or anxiety lay it at the feet of Jesus, who is ready to walk you through the new normal.
