It still seems so UNREAL that I have one year of college behind me. One year of maturing? HAHAHA but really, I do feel like I have grown and matured in some ways...
First semester was rough. Second semester was better... But throughout it all, God has been SO present in my life. He is good. He is FAITHFUL. I want to share a little about what I have learned and what God has revealed to me this year...
- People are weird. We're all different, and that's what makes it all interesting. At UNC, I have met people with different values, beliefs, interests, personalities... With all of these differences, I've found beauty in diversity. More importantly, I've found beauty in the Gospel that has the power to override these differences and speak to people of all backgrounds and draw them to Christ. The Gospel is the epitome of diversity.
- It's okay not to know what your plans are for the future. I admit it was scary coming into college not knowing what I wanted to major in, not having a plan. But I'm grateful that I was so uncertain about my future, because I know that I wouldn't have sought God's will as hard as I had if I did have plans of my own. A wise friend said to me that if you seek God's will today and seek God's will tomorrow, then there is no way that you will not be in God's will ten years from now. Take it day by day; seeking to know Him more and being obedient to the Holy Spirit each day.
- God didn't create us to go through the motions. He came to give us ABUNDANT life: abundant joy, abundant suffering, abundant laughter. So when I found myself, especially during first semester, living every day as if it was a to-do list that I was constantly trying to check things off of, I knew that something was wrong. Jesus came to give me life to the fullest for His glory! And living as if I was some robot with no emotions is not God honoring.
- Rest is a good thing. We are finite human beings, and there's only so much we can do. Even God rested on the seventh day when He was creating the Heavens and the Earth. How cocky is it for me to think that I don't need rest when the God of all Creations rested? He was setting an example for us by choosing to rest. Rest is blessed.
Okay, that's a wrap-up for today (:
Much love,
Natsumi
