For This Reason

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28, ESV Study Bible

Again, I wish I had more time to really delve into what this passage means to me, but I've got a feeling I won't be able to write it all. It's important to me to write at least the basics, though, so I'm going to get right to it.

This semester has been more packed, more hectic, and (more?) bursting with exciting opportunities and blessings than all of my previous semesters combined, and it has just gotten started! I'm stretched out all over the place, but I'm absolutely loving it and can sense God's Hand upon me, blessing me and helping me keep up with all of it, while still furthering our relationship. It's absolutely mind-blowing.

But where this verse becomes relevant to me is in the most recent development in my life; I applied for and was selected to be the communications student worker in one of my university's departments, and it's an unbelievable opportunity. It's writing-intensive, and I will gain experience in interviewing people and writing feature stories.

The job was offered to me this morning, but before I could accept, I had a nagging question to answer: Would taking this job interfere with my spiritual preparations for my trip to Tokyo? Would this job truly be beneficial, or am I just pursuing it because it's great experience and will look good on my resume after I graduate?

I wrestled with this question all day, and told God I would walk away from it if accepting the position would jeopardize my spiritual preparation. Tonight, I received this response:

First, the word "journalism" flashed through my mind, and I heard Him say, "Lindsey, I am sending you for this reason. No one else can do it."

It became clear to me that He was saying He sent this job to prepare me for the journalistic tasks I will have while in Tokyo, and He intends to prepare me for that purpose through this job. He seems to feel Christians don't know the great spiritual needs there are in Japan, and I have a part to play in spreading awareness.

I was afraid this job would hinder my spiritual preparation and my schoolwork, but that verse promises that "for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." I've already seen Him work in mysterious ways to help me pack everything in and get it all done, and I sincerely believe it's because He knows I need ALL of these experiences to help prepare me for what lies ahead, and His purpose for my life.

"And if our God is for us, who then could ever stop us?" - Chris Tomlin