School, work, cooking, cleaning, shopping, church and Bible studies, taking care of kids, spending time with family and friends…the list of things keeping us busy seems endless. You can try to stay on top of everything, giving up those things that seem less important in an effort to make it through the week. All too often, things tend to snowball and get out of control, leaving people stressed and exhausted.
When did we decide that merely keeping up with life is truly living?
I thought I had been doing pretty well keeping up on classwork, while managing my student teaching and working and making time for friends, as well. That was until this last Wednesday. One of my professors was discussing what all has to be done before the middle of November-which has somehow managed to sneak up on me-and I saw a plethora of schedule conflicts that could prevent that from happening. Panic quickly began to set in.
What could go? I could stop working out, go to less of the events for the wedding I am in in December, spend less time with my friends and boyfriend, even sleep less. But these are the things that I enjoy; they are what make getting up each day a little bit exciting. There are some things that have to get done like working, going to classes, and completing assignments. However, my life would not be the abundant life that God has planned for me if I chose to solely do what I need to get by.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.”
John 10:10
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
He wants me to live a life of joy, regardless of what is going on. When things get difficult and overwhelming, that is when he asks me to call to Him. We try so hard to do things on our own, when we could live in peace and rest if only we left everything up to our Father who is in control of everything. He has great plans for his children and wants what is best for us. That may mean that we take a step back when we find our lives spinning out of control. Rather than seeking our plans and making sure everything goes just as we think it should, we can trust His plan and relax.
That is what I am working on this week, as due dates seem to come out of nowhere and my days are filled from morning to night. I will choose to seek His face first and follow the plan He has for me. I will choose joy, even when things get stressful and I feel like I am in it alone, because I know my God is with me. I will choose to live life to the fullest, while leaving margin for rest, because that is what my Savior wants for me. I cannot wait to see how giving God control in my life will change everything.
Writer Bio
Shelby is a Senior Elementary Education major with a Spanish minor. She works as a barista and spends mornings in a 2nd grade class as a student teacher. As an Air Force brat, she has moved all around the United States and traveled to several other countries. In her free time, Shelby loves spending time with her family, adventuring with her boyfriend, and making memories with her friends. In every area of her life, God comes first, although she has to remind herself to trust Him in every situation. Through writing, Shelby hopes to show people the great grace of her Savior and how to live life to the fullest.