Tuesday, October 26, 2010

75 Days


And so it begins…

 Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve always wondered why it is that people begin asking the question “what are you doing with your life?” far before you even know the answer. Not that I’m upset. It’s just like… as soon as you become a junior in high school, everyone automatically asks the one question every 17-year-old dreads… “So… do you know where you’re going to college?” And in my mind I’m thinking, “I don’t even remember what I had for breakfast.” I cried the day our school counselors put us in a room and described FAFSA, SAT,401 K, ya know… all those things. :)

 When it came to my college decision, I was hoping for some miraculous sign from the Lord. I put way too much pressure on myself to choose the “right” thing; to follow my sister’s footsteps, all the while, creating my own path. To go where I know I will get equipped, but somewhere affordable. Etc. Etc. I really began to feel that no matter what my decision… God would use it. God would be there. And who has a time limit on school anyways? So halfway through my Senior year, I filled out applications and waited patiently on the results. I had already googled each dorm and found the nearest gas station, grocery store, and Costco, so it seemed as though I was set to go. But then, an amazing thing happened. I was standing in a middle school gym (doubles as a youth room on Sundays!) and one of the wisest, most Godly man I know comes up to me and inquires on my college decision. I go on to tell him I’m still not for sure, and he tells me to consider Hillsong. I had thought about it before, but never dreamed that it could be for a season so soon after graduating high school. He kindly says, “pray about it…” and walks away. I immediately bombard the Internet for information on Hillsong International Leadership College. A few weeks later, I got my passport and sent my application in. (Which was a step of faith in itself because it was a $200 non-refundable application fee!) Wowza… It was only 2 weeks later that I got the email saying “Congratulations Lindsey… We’d love to have you at HILC.”

Oh my goodness. Then I had to decide. I felt God say to me “Lindsey, I didn’t call you to do what is easy, I ask you to obey…
“Umm okay God… but you know that means a lot of money, right?”
“Trust me.”
“Well, you know that means I’ll be away from my family and friends for a year, right?”
“Trust me.”
Trust me, trust me, trust me is what I’ve been hearing for the past few months.
And I can assure you; it’s easier said than done. But God is faithful!

There have been many times when I think there is no possible way I can make it, but I’m always encouraged by Romans 4:20-21. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is all so exciting!

The paper chain in my room only contains 75 more rings. 75 days until I leave. 75 days until I hug my family and friends for the last time for a long time. 75 days to make as many memories as possible while I’m still here. And at the end of those 75 days, it’s just the beginning of something so new and wonderful.