Beautiful Things out of Dust

I wish I knew a better way to start this post, but I really don't.

I can say, though, that I am so thankful, yet again, for this blog because I am allowed the opportunity to write about things I would have trouble speaking about in person.

Basically, I had really great plans for this summer.
I know, I know. You're probably thinking summer plans? It's January?

But in the crazy college world, you start planning your falls in the spring, your springs in the fall, and your summers in November.

And my plan for this upcoming summer was a job that, in my eyes, was the best thing possible.

I figured out details, planned ways to make it happen.. basically I put a lot of effort into it.

Only to have it snatched from my fingertips.

Because it turns out that their plans have changed.

And thus my plans change as well.

And if we're being honest here, as I prefer to be on my blog, I am very sad.
Because once again, my plans don't compare to God's.

And that is so hard.

Right now I don't understand.

I just don't know. I am confused.

And I am reminded that what I think is best, isn't always best.

I am reminded that I can plan and plan and plan, something that I'm very good at, but in the end the control does not lie with me.

I am reminded that even in the midst of the sadness, the confusion, and the unknown I am not alone.

That I am deeply deeply loved.

I am so incredibly deeply loved that even though right now I feel that things are hopeless,  in my heart I know that the Lord will provide something that will glorify Him in the exact place I am supposed to this summer.

I am reminded that in order to build endurance to continue on this path of life that I am on, I must come up against pressure again and again.

I am reminded that I shouldn't limit God to my plans for the future, because His are absolutely, infinitely better than mine.

I am reminded of the analogy that was spoken at the Passion Conference I attended a few weeks ago... That in 2 Corinthians 2, Christians are called to be a pleasing aroma.
And do you know how perfume, a sweet smelling aroma, is made?
It is made by finding something precious and crushing it. 

Last semester was a difficult one for me. And while things have certainly improved, it is discouraging to again have things not work out as I thought they would.

This past weekend I went hiking with some of my best friends.
We climbed and climbed up a part of the Appalachian trail, up slippery rocks and gravel paths, continuing to climb desperate for a pretty view. Several breaks took place so we could catch our breath. But we kept going because we just knew there would be something pretty look at.

And after about 2 hours of this strenuous climb, we made it to a plateau. A straight path that was no longer uphill. And we reached the spot that we -thought- would have a view...

and it was straight trees. Like just a ton of trees. No cliffs, no views, no anything.

I'm not exaggerating, I still don't really understand how that happened, but we ended up in the middle of the woods. Another hiker we met at the spot told us that to get a good view we'd need to go about another 4.1 miles. We didn't see a view that day.

This was what we found at the top. That's me, turned around, wondering where the view is.

And that's how life feels right now. I've been climbing and climbing up a steep path. And there's a lot of slippery rocks and gravelly paths that I stumble on. And just when I think I've hit the beautiful view I instead find myself in the middle of the woods.
But instead of turning around like I did on my hike Sunday, I keep going up the slippery slope that I'm on. I continue making my way through the gravelly, rocky trail.
I stop and take breathers sometime. I have to, in order to keep going.

But I keep going, because I know that one day, eventually, I am going to hit the peak.

And here's the truth about hitting that mountaintop.... It won't be on Earth.

I am climbing this mountain, going up this path, because I know that one day I will be in Heaven, and the trials of this life will be like a tiny drop of spilled milk on the kitchen table. 
Not important.

And while I'm on earth, I know that each trial I hit just gives me more strength to fight the next one. I know that each rock I stumble over on my path of life just builds up more muscle to tackle the next slippery challenge.

I know, I know, that the Lord makes beautiful things out the dust.
I know that He is making me new in Him.

I know that His plans for me will be incredibly great, whether that means I serve one person this summer or 2,000.

And if you too are struggling with a difficult season, know that His plans for you are better than yours. 
In the midst of the chaos, the unknown, and the confusion, His plans are right for you. 

But don't think they will be easy.
There is no guarantee that the plans in store for you will be a straight, easy path. You will lose your breath. You will trip and fall. You will stumble.
But you too, must keep going.

Remember friends, that if He has destined something great for you He is more-than-likely not just gonna throw it at you. He will put you through things to build up your endurance, to allow you to grow in the ways you need to, in the things you need to, before you are given those opportunities.

And know too, that I am praying for you. I don't know all of your names or who you are or where you're from. But I do pray for everyone who reads my blogs. So know that.

And please pray for me too. I am trying to figure out what my plans are going to be for the summer. I just am praying for the right opportunity to show up. Please join me in that.

Thanks for letting me be real today. I'm grateful for a platform to share my thoughts.

Sincerely,

Alana.


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