Over the last week or so I’ve been feeling increasingly uncertain about what the future holds for me as both a counselor and a writer. For no real reason, doubtful thoughts and feelings of inadequacy have been a very real presence. As I prayed over these things this morning, the answer I received was not in the form of specific directions or a miraculous revelation of what the future will bring. Rather, by God’s grace I was reminded of the beautiful truth of the supremacy of Christ, that it is he who is better than anything.
He is better. I’ve learned this lesson many times over, but most significantly during my years at Huntington University. In chapter 1 of my book, Remade: Living Free, I shared how God used a 2.5 year running trial to reveal that nothing compares to knowing Him. Re-reading my own words and story reminded me that this truth has not changed. I wrote:
“As I sat back at the conclusion of that track season, I could hardly believe it. Running had been so important to me all throughout my junior high and high school years, and I had wanted nothing more than to go to college and improve as a runner. To have such a successful season after so much struggle was an incredible blessing and an amazing feeling.
As I reflected on the season and thought about the races I had won, placing at Conference and Little State and that awesome run in Indy, I was struck with one very powerful thought- well, not really a thought from my own brain as much as I felt God speaking to my heart and saying, As great as all that felt, I am better than that.”
While I absolutely will continue to pray for guidance and direction in all areas of my life, I am so thankful for the reminder that nothing this world offers compares to the satisfying love and joy that I have in my Heavenly Father through Christ. As strange as it may seem, there is true comfort in knowing that no matter the outcome of my professional and personal endeavors, He will always be better.
Only God knows what the future holds. But in this present moment I do know this: when my mind is focused on Christ I have confidence in place of inadequacy and peace in the uncertainty. A beautiful answer to prayer, indeed.
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