It has almost been three months since I woke up in South America, and I am still getting use to living on another continent. Yes, this is the third continent I have lived on in 2013, but it is still uniquely different. There is palm trees and scorching heat. It rains a lot, causing the streets to flood as well. My friends are right now experiencing fall, while I am experiencing 90 degree weather and a dry season. Things here are just different.
I would like to say that I have completely adjusted to life here, but there are still unexpected surprises everyday. For example, yesterday I saw the movie Captain Phillips with some of my housemates. This movie talks about an American captain taken hostage during a Somalian pirate raid. During this movie I realized a small thing. My housemates and I are probably the only Americans in the theatre. This movie has some American ideals that are talked about, and it shows the power of my home country. I thought that it was interesting to observe other people's reactions when jokes about America were made. It is always interesting to get other people's insights on the United States.
I still get these moments where I tell myself, "Hey, guess what? You are living in South America."
It makes you think about God and His plan.
Last October I was student teaching in Wisconsin. I spent my mornings and afternoons driving around gorgeous scenery of leaves changing color. I would start out everyday with hot apple cider, and end it with food network. My friends and I would play cards during the weekends, and people cared about who was playing the World Series. I had my mind made up that I wanted to teach middle school math in the lovely state of Colorado.
Then, around this time, I heard about a job opportunity to teach in China for six months. After encouragement from my aunt and uncle, I sent in my application. A month later, I would find out that got the job position. A month after that, I would graduate college, and prepare to move to China. Once in China, I would experience a pull to spread the gospel and to strengthen my relationship with God. While there, I felt that I needed to stay international for a while, and ended up in South America. All of this has happened in a year... one year, and my life has completely taken an unexpected turn.
Not for the worse though. I realize that I am following God's plan down here. He had great plans for me, and they are still being revealed. I never thought I would end up in South America, but God knew.
I used to, and slightly still do, have a control issue. I, like many people, like being the one who has the steering wheel. I like to chose where I want to go and what I am going to do. I like to be in charge and know what is happening. However, since moving to South America, I have let God take the steering wheel. I say that, when in reality, He had it all along, I just did not acknowledge it. If I can be honest, since I have acknowledged God's control in my life, my shoulders have felt lighter. There is a freedom in giving everything up to God. My worries have lessened, and I can "go with the flow" a lot easier. So, now I am sitting in shotgun waiting for what God has in store for my life. He has already given me so much in life with family, friends, music, a career, and sports. I get that daily reality check that His plan is in process. Everyday is a new adventure filled with surprises!
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18-"be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
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