The Roaring Twenties

Hi my friends! I hope everyone is having a lovely day. It's been about a month since I've last posted. There have been SO may life changes. I moved to ATL, turned 22, graduated college, started graduate school, began my personal trainer certification, and started a job at Burn Boot Camp. Wow, lots of life updated!

Anyways, I've been praying about what to write this blog on. I felt that the topic I have been learning the most about recently is post-grad life. There are so many misconceptions regarding life after college. You've experienced these past four, or less, amazing years at college, made lifelong friends and memories, grown as an individual, and made a seemingly second home. Then, suddenly it seems, it all comes to one abrupt stop. College ends, but what's next?

I've been texting a good bit of my friends who are also currently walking through this season. The change and transition from college to adulthood can be overwhelming and daunting. However, I wanted to share some encouragement and lessons that the Lord has taught me during this season.

Freedom is a Choice.

In this season, it can be easy to compare yourself to everyone else around you. You might not be where you thought you would be, and someone else might be in the place you wanted to be in. They might be married, in a higher education program, moved to your dream place, working the job you always wanted, or something else. With all this being said, Romans 12:2 says, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Our dreams and what we thought our lives should look like might not be God's best or His perfect will for your life. Moreover, it can be so easy to be caught in the comparison trap with everyone else's post grad "success." We must remember that freedom is a choice. Resisting comparison is a choice. Remembering that Jesus is enough. True surrender is found in laying down your life to Christ and choosing His perfect will over your own.

Celebrate Everything.

I have found that unexplainable joy can be found in celebrating everything and everyone. So often we can get lost in hustle and bustle, busyness, and endless to-do lists. However, my friend, I urge you to celebrate the little things. Job applications, moving home, your friend who just got engaged, continuing education, whatever it may be. When we learn to truly celebrate others out of pure love it can truly change our own hearts. There is power in selflessness. We can only love others genuinely out of the overflow of our love for Christ.

Be Present.

Time and time again I have to remind myself to be where my feet are. Friend, God has you exactly where you are for a purpose and a plan. You are not behind, you didn't miss out. You are not big enough to mess up God's plan and He will redirect you if you take a misstep. If you live back at home, look for what God is doing in your hometown. If you moved permanently to your college town, how can you best serve your university? If you just got married, how can you use your marriage to honor God and bring Him glory? If you started graduate school, how can you love your fellow classmates? If you started a new job, how can you be a light in your workplace? If you're now in a long distance relationship, what is God teaching you as an individual? There is so much to learn in every single season we walk through. God is always moving and working, we just have to look for it!

Simplify.

In this season, I found myself also over-complicating my relationship with Christ. I began reading the Bible to check off a to-do list rather than to sit with my Savior and truly commune with Him. We must quiet the hurry of our lives to dine with our Heavenly Father. Relationship with Christ doesn't have to be complicated, but can simply be spending time with Jesus. Enjoy the presence of God. Be a radiant light of His perfect love. Simplify!

I hope that what the Lord has been teaching me in this post-grad season can bring a sense of encouragement to you. God's plan might not look like what you expected, but that doesn't make His plan not good because it isn't what you necessarily wanted. His will is always best. We only see the step in front of us, but God sees the entire staircase. You are exactly where you are supposed to be, and God has you there for a purpose and a reason. Ask God to show you more of Himself in your current season. Wherever the Lord has you, there is a ministry surrounding you, more of Christ to fall in love with, and always a chance in grow as an individual and in deeper relationship with Christ. This can be a time of joyous celebration if we make it one. Let's make this our roaring twenties for the Lord!

PSALM 34 !!!! Taste and See That the Lord Is Good

34 I will bless the Lord at all times;    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;    let the humble hear and be glad.3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,    and let us exalt his name together!

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me    and delivered me from all my fears.5 Those who look to him are radiant,    and their faces shall never be ashamed.6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him    and saved him out of all his troubles.7 The angel of the Lord encamps    around those who fear him, and delivers them.

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,    for those who fear him have no lack!10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

11 Come, O children, listen to me;    I will teach you the fear of the Lord.12 What man is there who desires life    and loves many days, that he may see good?13 Keep your tongue from evil    and your lips from speaking deceit.14 Turn away from evil and do good;    seek peace and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous    and his ears toward their cry.16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,    to cut off the memory of them from the earth.17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears    and delivers them out of all their troubles.18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted    and saves the crushed in spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,    but the Lord delivers him out of them all.20 He keeps all his bones;    not one of them is broken.21 Affliction will slay the wicked,    and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants;    none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.