I'm an adult.
I turned eighteen recently, and with all of these other "adultish" things going on in my life as well as added responsibilities, life isn't the same as it once was. I can't just hit pause and go back to playing Barbies while waiting for Dad to come in my room and tell me it's bedtime. I can't just shrink obligations and look to my parents for everything. I can't put everything off until "later" because "later" has arrived.
I'm an adult.
I often wish to go back to my seven-year old life and play dramatic games outside, pretending the leaves to be lettuce and the pine cone scales to be salt (don't ask). What happened to the times when the new girl became your best friend in a matter of days? I relish the good ol' days where the most exciting things that could happen included playing on Webkins or going to get ice cream.
But I'm an adult.
Now I must work, decide, plan, and strive. I must figure things out and keep on top of the demands of life. Jesus. Ballet. School. Future. Family. Friends. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed, and the fact that things will only increase as I grow older makes me discouraged. How will I handle it all? How can the girl who just wants to go back to the days where I watched The Incredibles every weekend survive in the "real-world"?
I'm an adult.
Then I remember something:
"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10)
Two years ago, I could never imagine myself going to New York for five weeks, teaching my own ballet classes, finishing writing a full length novel, or going to college in the fall. But now these things feel natural (well, sort of natural). God prepared me for these things. He trains me, just as He trains you.
You see, I used to think that this verse meant that God picked out special paths for us, and I still believe this. But I now see this verse as God's reminder to us that He not only knows where we will go, He prepares us for it! He not only write our story, but He trains us for our role in His story!
You see, I'm an adult.
And God prepared me for this day.
Even during the last year God stretched my faith, increased my trust, and destroyed some false thought patterns in my life. He prepares me. He prepares you, and what comes next, though it may scare us, will not overcome us, not if we are rooted in Jesus. This doesn't mean that hard things won't come our way, but it does mean that God wins.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
I'm an adult.
Things in life move quickly and sometimes scare me. I don't know what the future holds or even if I will feel ready, but one thing I do know: my God is never caught off guard. He never finds Himself out of control nor does He ever lessen His grip on me! And with that confidence, I enter into adulthood.
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way...The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress... He says 'Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.' The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." (Psalm 46:1-2,7,10-11)
So let's live in the growth that comes from God! Let's not fear the future but "Be still and know" that it is all about God, and that our God writes the Story! "What shall we say, then? If our God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)
I'm an adult. And I take joy in growing up because then I can exalt God even more!
"Being confident in this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)
Jesus is amazing! And He prepares us for amazing things as well; let's trust Him together, take hold of his hand and follow Him into the wide world called Tomorrow, a world that often scares us and worries us, but it doesn't have to. For Jesus reigns over Tomorrow, therefore I do not need to fear, even though I am an adult.
I'm an adult. And that scares me a bit, but Jesus is my safety and resting place, and I chose to live in trust rather than stress, in belief rather than fear, and in joy rather than worry.
Comment below what keeps you focused on Christ when the world seems to move in fast forward around you! And remember to keep your eyes in Jesus and His presence in us!
Princess Hannah
I love this so much. I can relate to this so much. Thanks for the reminder of these sweet promises, Hannah! I'm praying for you as you enter this new season of life. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for this comment! And yes, these promises encourage me greatly too! Thank you for your prayers!
DeleteThis is just wonderful, Hannah. It's inspiring to me how you bring everything back to Jesus.
ReplyDeleteYou are wonderful Hannah! And thank you! I don't pretend that I always think like this, but sometimes I write the things that I need to hear the most.
DeleteAw!! What a wonderful post! I just turned 18 too, so I can relate to a lot what you're feeling! Thankfully, the Lord knows how much we can take, and "...he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." You're coming to NYC?! I live here! Are you going to college here?
ReplyDeleteWhat keeps me focused on Christ? I like to repeat Jeremiah 29:11 and journal a bit. I like to write down what I'm feeling and thinking and then quote scripture to counter any fears or doubts.
I hope you had a wonderful birthday and pray that this year will be the best one yet!
18 is exciting! And I went to NYC to train with American Academy of Ballet and go on vacation, not for college. I loved it, though!
DeleteJournaling is a great way to keep focused! And thank you for your encouragement!
You are a fabulous, Jesus-loving adult!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely wiping tears of joy away.
Actually, I'm letting them linger.
Love, daddy
I wonder where I get it from???
Delete:)