by Ari Slenker
Throughout this school year, I have learned many different life lessons. The most important life lesson was how to find my voice. What goes along with this is how to use my voice the right way. I never was good at standing up for myself in the past. This year has taught me that I don’t like to speak up for myself, but I want to be the voice for those who are scared to use their own voice. In a way, I feel that we all can be a voice for those around us. This has been such a heavy topic on my heart for so long. I never understood God’s plan for me, but I think I finally may have found it.
Another lesson I learned was in finding my purpose. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” I know that I am one of many that may struggle with finding the purpose for which I have been created. Throughout my junior year, I have struggled with the decision of whether I should go to college to pursue something bigger. At the beginning, I did not want to go to college but then I started to see glimpses of what my future could hold in store for me. What I mean by this is that I would almost have these “aha” moments of what God has in store for me. Let me tell you that when someone says that God has a plan in store for you, she is 100% right. I can say with confidence that God has led me to where He wants me and that His plans have and will always be greater than mine will ever be.
A last lesson I learned was about running from God. Recently, I had a moment where I was trying to run from God. I thought that because I had messed up so many times, God would never really love me like the Bible says He does. I tried to run from God, as if I could hide from Him. A really good friend said to me, “Have you talked to God about it?” My response to the question was, “Why would I do that if I am trying to run from Him?” But that very question sparked my interest. What if I was to talk to God about running rom Him? Just like in the Bible where the son runs from home but returns thinking that his father will no longer love him. His father is standing there with his arms open wide. That is exactly how God is; He is standing there with open arms, waiting for you to come running back. The question is, are you going to run back or keep running away? Psalm 103:10 NIV says, “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.”
My prayer is that you able to hear God speak through this devotional. I pray that whatever the struggle may be in your life, that you run to God first, without hesitation. He is right there waiting for you to speak, so let Him listen. In Jesus’ name, Amen.