{Meant to Be}

Over the past few weeks I have been thinking about what God's will might be for my life. Through much reflection, prayer, and time spent in God's word I have been able to gain some understanding of this new chaos for me.

"For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his purpose." 
Philippians 2:13 

I have come to realize God's will for my life is not necessarily just in the years to come, and the big decisions I will be making as graduation approaches. But instead, it is being lived out on a daily basis.Whether it be helping someone out around me, or simply smiling as I pass by a stranger. Every moment has been sculpted by God for his plan. I am able to see the power of his will for my life in every moment.

While I was job searching I prayed earnestly that God would lead me in the direction he needed me. I want to continue to pursue his love and be able to share that love with his people. 

After many prayers I officially accepted a job offer as an Registered Nurse in Rochester, MN at St. Mary's Hospital on their Neurology/Neurosurgery unit.

I will be working with patients post-surgery and I can't wait to be able to care for my patients as Christ would want them cared for. Just the thought of helping them brings a smile to my face :) 

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

-Deuteronomy 31:6

This verse has been strengthening to me as I go through these exciting yet frightening changes. It's difficult to wrap my mind around the idea that I am packing up all my belongings and moving permanently to a location to work and not just attend school.
With the acceptance of the job I feel God has been using this as a way for me to draw closer to him. Although I am nervous about the move and meeting people, I take comfort knowing that God will never leave me. He is my one sure foundation and comfort when everything is new and frightening. 

I feel extremely blessed to have spent the last 4 years at St. Scholastica being a part of many activities and organizations. I have met so many amazing people that have had such a big impact on me. Knowing that everything was a part of God's plan to get me where I am today and where I will be going continues to encourage me in my faith walk.

As I stated earlier I am following God's will for my life. Moment by moment, day by day. It's an exciting and crazy ride and I am comforted knowing that God is in control of it all. 

{A Powerful Reminder}

4 weeks until graduation and it seems as if time is just picking up speed. I feel blessed to be where I am at in my life and for the season in my life that is drawing to a close for me. 

Through these past couple weeks there have been many moments where planning for the future and not knowing where God may want me has caused me to feel overwhelmed. 

I feel incredibly blessed to have a Mom who is strong in her faith who supports me and is encouraging of God's plan for my life. I feel like through stress and the business life brings Satan tries to drag me down and leave me feeling defeated.

Hearing this song is such a powerful reminder of who I am and what really matters. The opening lyrics to the song: 

If my heart is overwhelmed
And I cannot hear Your voice
I hold on to what is true
Though I cannot see

If the storms of life they come
And the road ahead gets steep
I will lift these hands in faith
I will believe

These words and chords ring through my heart. Gently  I feel the Holy Spirit come to life again as I hold onto the truth I know and the identity that I have in Christ is what really matters in this world. 

Constant connection and prayer with God is the only thing that makes things seem bearable to me at this time in my life. As I have submitted applications to jobs I am in prayer and trusting that God will place me exactly where he wants me. I'm not concerned about not being good enough but rather where God needs me to make a difference in his kingdom. I  know I have the ability to care for patients, and the exciting thing about my faith right now is a reminder that God already knows which patients will one day cross paths with me and I'll be able to care for! I'm ready to reach out to people, and he has the perfect patients and people written into his plan. I am not sure where it will be but I know where ever it is God will be also. And in that I find great comfort. 

As graduation draws near and decisions are needing to be made it's amazing to know what really matters and who I can run to! 

Christ is Risen

What a great victory! Christ is Risen! There was a song that played this year at Easter as a part of my churches "SONrise" service. Christ is Risen - Matt Maher

I completely lost my voice due to a respiratory infection for the holiday weekend so I feel blessed that I was able to reflect on the words that were being sung in celebration of Jesus' resurrection.
Below is the video for the song, and I have reflected on my connection to the song in awe of Jesus' love and sacrifice! 

Let no one caught in sin remain
Inside the lie of inward shame
We fix our eyes upon the cross
And run to him who showed great love
And bled for us
Freely you bled, for us 

(There are times in our lives where we are kind of in a slump. I like how he refers to it as "the lie of inward shame" because it is a lie. Seeing this line gives me a breath of fresh air knowing that through Jesus we no longer have to bear that shame. That we are human and are of the sinful  nature, he doesn't want us harboring those feelings of guilt in our hearts any longer. He died for us willingly, he hung on a cross to die... for us, for our sins. We are so blessed to have a God who is so incredibly in love with us, that he would endure such pain, just imagine the sacrifice, the submission, the love.) 

Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave!

Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with him again
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave!

(What really stood out to me during the chorus was "We are one with him again". After the fall in the garden there was a  separation between God and humans. Through offerings people have been paying their dues to God for their sins, but it was never enough. Through Christ we are finally able to meet God right were we are in our lives. Even though we still sin by forgiveness he looks at us clean through the sacrifice of his Son Jesus. The connection is finally made whole and we are finally "one again", we are perfect to him! That is Amazing LOVE! :) ) 

Beneath the weight of all our sin
You bow to none but heavens will
No scheme of hell, no scoffer's crown
No burden great can hold you down
In strength you reign
Forever let your church proclaim 

(Hearing all his children sing this song and proclaim his resurrection in church was absolutely amazing. I like to close my eyes and just try and imagine how joyous the voices will be when everyone is singing his praise. 

Philippians 2:10-11 - That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that JEsus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

That will be the Most AMAZING worship in the World!!)

Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with him again
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave

Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
The glory of God has defeated the night!

Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
Our God is not dead, he's alive! he's alive!

(I love this portion of the song! As the instrumental aspect of the song picks up pace it really feels like a joyous celebration! He's Alive, He's alive! I can't imagine what it would feel like being one of the disciples when Jesus came back to life and proclaiming he is alive! In reflection during church I thought about our ability to still be exclaiming that he has risen and he is alive! Alive within us! So cool :) ) 

Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave
Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with him again
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave

Rise up from the grave...