A Pocketful of Faith

     I’m back.  I feel like I haven’t posted in decades (yes I know it’s just been ten days), but life lately has been crazy in all the best, and worst, ways.  I have a lot of exciting events and decisions taking place within the next few months and I can’t wait to be in a place that I can share that with you.  I’m planning on posting another “Fill In on Faith” soon so you can get a better idea of what’s been happening in my life lately!  Today I’m sharing a new “Scripture Sunday” which features a verse that has been really special to me lately.  Enjoy!

Today’s Verse:

1 Corinthians 13:12; For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

     I’m sure you’ve heard something along the lines of “it’s hard to see the big picture when you’re in the frame” at some point in your life.  Maybe this was while you were dwelling over a rough breakup or receiving a college rejection letter (irrelevant side note: isn’t it funny to think we’re never reminded of this when we’re experiencing a high point?).  It’s often hard to see how something difficult that isn’t part of my own plan is going to weave its way into my life story in such a way that could be anything near good. In my last “Scripture Sunday” I talked about Proverbs 3:5 and how we need to trust in God in times of doubt, but this week I want to remind you that we might just see a little bit of His plan right now.

     Something significant in my life happened the summer before my seventh-grade year.  This event led to my sister and I’s relocation to South Carolina with my father, and at the time it was really difficult.  In those first weeks in the city I now call home, I questioned the way God cared for me and my family.  I wondered what kind of loving God would allow terrible things to happen to a (divided) family full of people that loved Him.  Now, I look back at that move and see the way my life would be completely different without it, and not necessarily in the positive way my seventh-grade self would have thought.  Without that move, I wouldn’t have the best friends I love so dearly now.  I wouldn’t be so close to my father, step-mother, and half brother.  I wouldn’t have had access to YoungLife (my previous town was insanely small and I hadn’t even heard of YoungLife before moving here), and therefore wouldn’t have met my leaders that are some of the best friends and role models I could have asked for.  I would’ve never had the opportunity to serve on Work Crew, a month that taught me what it looks like to be a servant, gave me countless incredible memories, and introduced me to some of the most amazing friends I’ll ever know.  I wouldn’t know God the way I do now, I might not even believe in Him at all.

     I don’t know if everyone can pinpoint life changes like that, but I’m really grateful I can.  Seeing just this part of the way He’s worked in my life, 1 Corinthians 13:12 has become really important for me lately.  The verse says “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”  What I know in part now is just a dim image in a mirror, but when I meet God, who knows me fully, in heaven and look back on my life, I’ll understand everything He’s done in my life.  I completely believe that the “big pictures” each of us see from above one day are going to be masterpieces, so carefully crafted with immense thought in every brushstroke.

     Believe me, I know there are moments when it won’t make sense, but just hold on.  He’s doing crazy big things in your life that you can’t even begin to understand right now — but I hope someday soon you’ll get a glimpse in that dim mirror.  This week, remember that God is sovereign in our lives and that we should trust that the artist who paints each sunset and sunrise knows how to make our lives just as beautiful.

Thanks for reading!  Have a blessed week!