Not my will, but Yours

I leave in a little over 2 weeks. Where did all that time go? It feels like just yesterday I had no idea what I was going to do after highschool, not to mention the rest of my life (still don’t know about that one). But wow, did the Lord know. As soon as I decided I would go on the race, He has overwhelmed me with peace only He can bring. He alone knows what this year holds and He will allow me to experience and learn whatever He has.

Over the past few months, it has been such a cool journey of learning to trust the Lord. Satan is constantly throwing distractions and worries at us to try and sway us from following the path God has set us on. My experience has been nothing different. With Covid hitting, fundraising immediately became doubly as hard, only giving me more space to trust God for His provisions. Along with fundraising, there was the fear that we wouldn’t even be able to go on the race at all, just adding to the stress. Then when we were told we would in fact, not be traveling this year, but spending the first three months in Georgia for training, I questioned it all again. But, in the midst of each of these challenges, I was overcome by the surpassing peace of our Father in knowing that this is the path He has set me on for this year. He has provided for me in incredible ways up until now and I have no doubt He will continue to do so. When He is in something, it will happen. While I was [briefly] wondering about even doing the race, I was met with this simple verse I memorized as a child: 

“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” -Psalm 46:10 

I am NOT in control. I do not know what will happen, and I don’t know what this year will bring. But what I do know is the God of the Universe, in His overwhelming grace, has led me to His heart and placed a passion for missions in mine, and He WILL be glorified through it. He IS faithful. He has and will continue to provide for me financially. And He will work in and through me and my team in whatever way He sees fit. 

I know a lot of us are in uncomfortable or inconvenient places, not really knowing what this next season brings. But, if we seek Him with all our heart, He will make Himself known (Jeremiah 29:13). He has never left us and will not begin now. He is STILL good, STILL worthy of all our praise, and STILL loves us dearly. I know that He has placed me here, about to embark on an adventure full of uncertainty, but I trust completely that this is His plan for me. I know He will show up and I am so excited for whatever He has. 

I am so thankful for each of your prayers and your support. I truly could not do this without the Lord working in and through the people around me, and for that I am grateful. I hope and pray our Father brings you into this peace and joy for whatever He has called you into for this year as well. 

“Be strong and of good courage and do it; Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God – my God – will be with you. He will not leave your nor forsake you until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.”                -1 Chronicles 28:20 

“You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!  Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you.”                 -2 Chronicles 20:17 

Only in Him,

Bethany