Be Still and Do Not Fear

I have now been in New York for about two days and it is still crazy to me that I'm here. I have already made amazing friendships that can only be because of God being with all of us on the New York City summer project! While Friday was an amazing day meeting everybody, I was filled with a lot of negative emotions on the plane ride here. All my doubts and fears kept repeating themselves over and over in my head: I can't do this. What was I thinking? I will fail. I am putting myself in a big city that I will not be able to escape. I can't possibly live there for a month! I'm insane to think I can do this. I could feel the devil attacking my heart through all of my insecurities and it frightened me more than I would like to admit. I sat there in my window seat and felt the fear take over my entire being. But then, one small thought came to me: Be still and do not fear. It was soft, subtle, and yet so overpowering. The devil wanted to stop me -- hinder me from believing in myself and my gifts. He filled my heart with fear, anxiety, restlessness, and doubt beyond belief. Yet, in spite of all my emotions, The Lord called me to this. The enemy cannot stop God's will and purpose for my life.

And meeting my brothers and sisters joining me in NYC only encouraged me to believe in myself and know that I am here for a reason. God wanted me here, on this summer project. The friendships I have made in the little time I have been here blows my mind. The connections that some of us share through similar disappointments and encouragements proves that God has placed His hand on this team. We understand each other and therefore lift each other up through our love for one another and our love for Our Father. The joy I feel in this community brings me to my knees before Him in praise! He is so good and He has so much in store for all of us during this month of service to Him.

"The kindness of Your love's pure light pierces through the darkest of all night and everything is possible now. For God is here and God is good." -- I Breathe You In, God by Bryan & Katie Torwalt

Yesterday as we went through orientation, we started by reading in Ezekiel chapter one which talks about Ezekiel's visions of God. Through all the weird descriptions and strange details, there is a great and powerful image of God's glory! It speaks of how God never turns, how He sees everything, and how His throne is above all things. Our Lord is not limited by geography, but is in all things! He is in control and His power is omnipotent. What a powerful message to start out this adventure! Ross, one of the staff members on our trip, ended this short lesson with a few wise words that really stuck with me: "It is important that, when you are thrown into a different environment, you know who your God is. You cannot allow this place or these situations to intimidate you because your God has called you here." When I heard those words I couldn't help but connect them to what happened on the plane ride here. It was amazing to be assured of His will and power!

I sit here on the second story balcony of Seaqua, the cute little deli place around the corner, with two of my sisters in Christ discussing the Bible, sharing our stories, and praising Our Father for bringing us together! This picture is proof that all of us were meant to come together and become a community in awe of His glory! Just wait for my next blog post readers, I know I am going to have some incredible stories to share with y'all. Because tomorrow we will all be going to a campus to speak to others about the gospel. I am doing everything I can to prepare myself for what is in store for me. Pray for me, everyone! I know I'll need it!

"But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way...At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food." -- Daniel 1:8&15