Sometimes I write things and they get buried in my Documents folder. But this piece has no expiration date.
Flash back to the Passion conference, February 2015
My refreshingly laid-back bible study leaders, nine other college students I had only just met, and I piled into a van headed for Houston. Three and a half hours and one jumbo bag of Smart Pop later, I found myself surrounded by an excited sea of 13,000 Christians between the ages of 18 and 25 from all around the world. Strobe lights flashed. Young adults looked excited but unsure of what to expect. Chris Tomlin, Kristian Stanfill and more artists began filling the Toyota Center with their music. It was insane, in a good way.
College is often tragically a time of life when students’ faith gets pushed to the side in lieu of sloppy parties, the chase for success, and sexy, impulsive moments they later regret, so it was amazing to see 13,000 young adults dedicate an entire weekend to growing in their relationship with God and one another.
On the second day of the conference, the colorful lights and talented musicians were back at it again. The energy and excitement was soaring, but I had a lot on my mind. My chest tightened as I thought about the future—my lack of post-graduation job, my uncertainty about whether to stay in Dallas or move closer to my family, my desire to please my parents, and my boyfriend’s search for new jobs. The music thumped and excited people worshipped in the seats around me, but I let my eyes slide shut to pray. My thoughts were repetitive and sloppy. Earnest. Unguarded. I told God I was scared that I didn’t know where my boyfriend and I would end up or how we would support ourselves. I prayed that God would provide us with jobs that utilize our unique gifts and interests. I prayed He could hear what I was saying, that He is the one He says He is.
Strangely, I felt a wave of peace. My chest unclenched. I could breathe smoothly. The words “I know” echoed in my mind. “I hear you,” God said. Tears pooled beneath my closed eyelids. In that moment, my understanding that everything would be okay because the Lord is with me was renewed. I opened my eyes to hear the last words of the song that had evidently been filling the Toyota Center, “He’s never failed and He won’t start now.”
A simple, yet essential pearl that I took away from Passion is “God knows.” He hears me. And He hears you too. The Lord knows what we need even before we ask or relinquish control, and is actively working toward our good. He may not answer today, tomorrow, or the next day, but He will in His perfect time. He will take care of us.
Flash forward to Today
My boyfriend has a new job that he’s thrilled about. I’m moving back to be closer to him and our families. God has blessed me with numerous people who are generously sharing their insight and helping me in my job search. And I’m ready for what God has in store for me because I know He knows what I need.
Breathe in.
God hears you when you pray. He knows exactly what He’s doing.
Breathe out.
Have you ever had a similar experience of realizing God already knows what you need?
Your friend,
