This semester at HSE, God has revealed Himself to me as Father, and redeemed a lot of hurt due to the former misrepresentations I had of that particular characteristic of His. Through this I also learned a great deal about my role/calling as His daughter! I’ve been confronted with a lack of trust and willingness to relinquish my control to Him. Yet even in the midst of learning, failing, learning, failing, failing, learning; God has so gently and without relent, reminded me to just stop…and to abide, to rest, and be filled with His love, to surrender all to Him, and just humbly be there at His feet waiting on Him in all things. I think during this particular period of refinement in my life, God has used HSE to shine light on a lot of issues I was too prideful to deal with before. Then as the process continued, as I understood more fully, the depths of the cross, and the character of God- I understood so much more clearly, who I am in Christ. This has involved a great deal of challenge, but produced so much genuine growth; I am overflowing with thankfulness for each and every challenge. I have experienced in this first semester, true healing. In putting myself and my issues aside, I’ve also come to much deeper understanding of what it means to live out servant leadership…not just on outreaches or practicum but in every day life, wherever I am. This season has been one of great transformation to say the very least! Mainly because I have made a big switch between knowing what I know, believing right belief, and then LIVING IT!
I would like to encourage my class to never allow the love of our Father to become mundane or ordinary. We have seen this powerful love revive and heal our classmates, family members, church body, and strangers all over the country…that love is worth giving everything for, worth picking up our cross and being willing to be utter humiliated- daily. May we all not just live this way now when it is easiest, but even in the hardest times of trial! May we always be thankful even in affliction because God loves us so much that He uses all things for good, that we would not stay the same, but one day be perfect and complete lacking nothing. Following Jesus and letting the world know of this beautiful love we have, is always worth it- at any and all cost.