Change: necessary but not always appreciated.  I myself have certainly seen my share of changes recently.  Moving from Nashville back to my home state of Michigan has been quite the adjustment.  My life has suddenly gone from one extreme to another.  Life in Nashville: crazy busy.  Life in Grand Rapids: completely low key and relaxed.  As someone who thrives on a filled schedule, this change has been rather difficult.  Certainly one of the reasons for this is that an empty schedule means very few opportunities to socialize.  As someone who loves being around people, starting over and working from home has been harder than I thought it would be.  Sometimes it makes me consider my worth and question whether or not anything I am doing right now is of value.  It is at these times that I must remind myself of my purpose in life: to love, worship, and glorify my Creator God.  So in every season, through every change, my purpose remains constant.  The way in which that looks may be very different from time to time.  I have found that not having a strict schedule has allowed me to spend time with family and reconnect with old friends.  It has allowed me to cook real meals for a change and to hang out at coffee shops.  It has caused me to get creative with finding ways to serve my community and meet new people.  This change has changed me, which is what I suppose it’s meant to do.

As many know, Nashville was recently hit with major floodwaters, the likes of which haven’t been seen for many years. While the aftermath of any storm like this brings difficult times to many, it also causes many to reflect on what matters the most. Here are some of my own reflections that have come as a result of these recent events:

GOD IS POWERFUL. While I was watching it rain….and rain….and rain, and the water levels rise to cover an interstate near my apartment, all I could think was how MUCH damage a little water can do. It seems like we often take for granted how much stronger God’s creation is than anything man creates. How BIG the Creator is and how helpless we are without Him. Thankfully, this powerful God humbled Himself out of His great love for us. What an amazing thing to think about!

GOD IS FAITHFUL. I have been absolutely amazed at the response of fellow Nashvilleans jumping at the chance to help others in need after the flood waters began to recede. In the midst of all of the wreckage, God calls His Church to simply love, serve and offer the hope of the gospel as an expression of His faithfulness. Most importantly, I am reminded that despite the circumstance, God is faithful and the hope of salvation through Christ is more than enough to survive any storm. “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.” Isaiah 43:1-2

GOD IS ALWAYS WORKING ON US. Certainly one thing I have been reminded of during this time is how selfish I generally tend to be. When I see people in such need all around me, I am easily moved to act in whatever capacity I can. But how often do I close my eyes to the needs around me day in and day out? Thankfully, I know that God continues to work on me and mold me into who He wants me to be. My prayer is that even in “times of plenty,” I would live with my eyes wide open.