the finish line: Victory

This last quarter seemed like a race. Something was going to have to give sooner or later- my sanity or school. Thankfully I beat school, making it to the end of the quarter maintaining my saneness, more or less. The end of the winter quarter marked the end of my first college year, in credits, as well! This week has actually been very significant. Aside from finishing English 101, Accounting 201, and Anatomy and Physiology II, I got a cell phone (under my family’s family plan) and my drivers license! I also have been accepted for the fall session of Amazing Fact Center of Evangelism, in Sacramento, California. Definitely classifies as an eventful week.
But above all, I can’t help but be excited to see how God has been by my side helping me. I know I’d not have made it through the challenges of my studies without His help. There were a lot of times in A&P that I had studied as much as was possible, yet I felt unprepared. However, if I asked God for peace, He gave it to me and I moved forward believing He would not fail me. If I did my best He always backed me up and was faithful to helping me. I think He answered many of my test questions. Multiple times I left tests not sure of the outcome, to find out that once again God had blessed me with a high score. It’s been an exciting journey- not only in all the pages of things I’ve memorized and learned, but also the amazing experience I’ve had learning that God is going to be there all the time for me, ready to back me up when I feel I can’t go on. It’s like running a long, hard race and having someone keep nudging you on when you feel exhausted and can’t take one more step. And then, when you feel that all strength has left, just at the moment you need it most, you are given an extra burst to get you over the finish line, just in time. Now that is victory.

But thanks be to God, who hath given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57

In His timing He will give you the victory over anything!

This side: Before

Although it would be nice to think of life as being answered by a song or as symbolic like a rugged pathway, I do get some occasional reality checks here and there. I decided that I wanted to post more than once a month on here, so I’ll keep you updated about my journey.

I wanted to talk about this side of college. Next week I’ll talk about the other side. You see, right now I’m preparing for finals at my local community college this week and next. In exactly one week I’ll be taking my last Anatomy and Physiology test and thereby wrap up my first full credit-year of college. I’ll then be a sophomore! However, while I love to keep the goal before my eyes, I can’t just jump and around and rejoice that soon and very soon I will cross the finish line and be done! Instead, I must continue to work hard. It’s only after a lot of hard work that goals can be accomplished. I find the satisfying feeling inside after a job well done to be well worth all the hardships that it takes to reach the goal. So, I’m working hard this week to finish polishing my essays, doing my last accounting homework problems, and memorizing the last three chapters for A&P.

Today I woke up sick. Looks like I have one more thing to fight against to do my best, but I’m up for the challenge. Why? "Although trials may be great, God's grace is greater still." If you’re discouraged and have a lot of work to do before you can get to the other side- take courage. Work hard to do your best to accomplish the goal that is before you.

There's Faith in Silence

his silence never means that we’re alone

Praise the Lord for music. Time after time God has brought a tune to my heart that has words which uplift my soul. In the past month I have gone through a time of testing. My faith has been challenged and I have at times felt that God was not answering the plea from my heart for peace in knowing His will. For me, I only felt victory after vowing to stay on my knees until I felt the peace of Christ dwelling in my heart. Although I stayed up late one night, I went to bed with a such peace in my mind that has carried me until quite recently. Today I have been wrestling to know what to do. I've been sitting at my desk writing emails to some people I trust asking them for some help in a certain situation I am facing. Not ten minutes ago I stopped because I heard these words, words from a song, creeping into my mind. I have peace knowing that God is faithful to His own- that is me! Even when He's silent, that doesn't mean that I'm alone. Here are the words to the song that has saved my day and renewed my faith.

When God is Silent

When God is silent and we don’t know the way before us that we ought to go; When we’ve attempted to do His will, and yet His silence continues still.
Then it’s time to trust! Yes, it’s time to remember that the LORD is faithful to His own. 
If we hope, we shall yet be praising once again, for his silence never means that we’re alone!
When God is silent and all seems lost, as o’re the waves our boat is tempest tossed;
When answers fail us and doubts arise, but God seems distant, hid from our eyes!
Then it’s time to trust! Yes, it’s time to remember that the LORD is faithful to His own. 
If we hope, we shall yet be praising once again, for his silence never means that we’re alone!

There is faith in the Silence- God is faithful, even when our faith is weak.

He Knows ... and Makes No Mistake

Fire and Trials Refine

 He Knows My Fiery Trial 

Though He should slay me, I’ll trust in Him,

His way is never wrong.
In darkness I will praise His name.
He is my strength and song.

For He knows my fiery trial;
He knows the way I take,
His glory shall be seen,
and He makes no mistake.

God sees my ways and counts my steps,
He hears my silent cry. My heart is fixed;
I trust in Him, I need not ask Him why.

For He knows my fiery trial;
He knows the way I take,
His glory shall be seen,
and He makes no mistake.

My faith and hope are in the Lord,
My refuge and high tower.
In quietness and confidence,
shall be my strength this hour!

For He knows my fiery trial;
He knows the way I take,
His glory shall be seen,
and He makes no mistake.

-  Mary Lynn Van Gelderen and Sandy Walker Smith

Need any more be said? This song is amazing. If you let the message reach out to your heart, you will find perfect peace knowing that God's Will Hath No Why.

~ Cami 

The Path

Odyssey. Trek. Voyage. Pilgrimage. Words that begin to describe the Christian life. Alone and struggling Heaven bound? Christ stoops and lifts the sinking soul, pushing along the narrow way. He gives a steady, guiding hand to help us on our journey. We are not alone. Though life's challenges beat us until we feel we cannot lift our feet one more step, He is by our side, waiting to be leaned on and trusted. The storms of life may batter and scar, but faith and trust in the One who has redeemed us will see us through. As you stop and ponder this sacred journey, know that through you Jesus touches the hearts of people struggling to find a purpose, and together you journey on, in the path of Jesus.