Last semester was a mountain. It was steep and the path was full of thorns. I got tired and sore. Then I realized something: I loved the fresh air, I loved the views when I got them, and I enjoyed the challenge. Even when I was struggling with the descent, and my knees hurt, and my legs were sore, I still loved the terrain because I was able to appreciate and master it. Life felt great.
Then this semester I hit new terrain, a swamp, and I faltered. I kept looking back and missing the mountain with its particular challenges (and particular classes.) I couldn’t shake the feeling that my life would never be as good as it was, because the terrain had changed.
You see, life is a journey. Part of this is that life changes and it’s up to us to adapt. If we’re focused on what’s behind us, you’ll never enjoy what’s around you, no matter how beautiful it is. I stuck to this semester and started to enjoy the view. The swamp flowers, the verdant moss, the beautiful meadows, the cute trees. With my feet back under me, I learned to love my classes, I learned to cope with 8 ams, and I made new friends instead of missing the ones who left.
Whatever swamp you’re going through, keep going. You will adapt, and you will find little nuggets of joy in your circumstances. With some time to get back on your feet, you will be able to stand without stumbling, thanks to God’s support. (Jude 1)
Whatever swamp you’re going through, keep going.
Life is a journey and variety its spice. You’re starting somewhere, you’re going somewhere, and in between is a wild adventure that is never the same one chapter to the next. And thank goodness, because honestly? That’s the way we like it.
If we’re living out chapters of our life, then God is the author. He never changes: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) His goodness and his love are the only thing that’s constant in this crazy journey. His love you’ve felt before, the goodness you know he’s showered on you, he still has, even if we can’t see it right now. God’s goodness is the only constant thing, so let’s ground ourselves in that, like trees firmly rooted by streams of water. Our leaves will not wither. (Psalm 1) And trusting Him, we can learn to see God behind the struggles, beyond the horizon, and in the darkness. In retrospect, I can see why God didn’t answer my prayers to turn my swamp into a mountain. I thought it was because God couldn’t hear me - really, he was right beside me, yesterday, today, and forever.
Lesson: Don't get hung up on the past. All we can do is embrace the present, and in doing that, we'll adapt to our current challenges instead of shirking from them. Life will never be constant, only God and his goodness can be.
Comments