"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." ~Joshua 1:9
Today begun what is my last semester as an undergraduate at Anderson University. What I thought would be a rather miserable day for me turned out to be a wonderful day; I have a feeling of being at a loss that my time at AU is coming to an end. This past week and weekend has been a mix of emotions for me ranging from completely clueless of what the future looks like, to feeling at a loss that my sister Charity will be spending about 5 months studying abroad-again-in Barcelona, Spain, and joy and fulfillment of what has been, and anticipation of what is to come. Truth is, I was worried. Now, I have learned long ago something about worry...."Worry is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but does not get you anywhere." I have made a resolution for this year to trust more, and learn to rely more on God, and I believe I am learning to do that more each day....
This past Sunday, while on a visit with my sister to my friend Abigail Richardson's house in Franklin, IN., I was invited to be a part of the worship team to lead worship on Sunday morning. While brainstorming which songs to include during worship, my sister suggested a song that we sung at my home church back in Zambia: "Mwelesa muli bakulu tata"...Our God you are great, Father. The message that morning centered on the theme: Do not be afraid. Be strong and courageous. It came at just the right time for me as I was on the verge of beginning what is the last leg of this chapter of my life.
It has been a bittersweet day to say the least, but a wonderful day nonetheless. The first day of class was great, all things considered and given that the first day of class is usually, if not always solely devoted to get a 'glimpse' of what the semester will look like, and so far, I like what lies in store. Outside of class, it was great to reunite with friends and colleague after a month apart. I even got to reunite with a friend who has been away from AU for about a year and a half! What a fantastic start to the semester!
What it comes down to is that I am sad that this is my last semester at Anderson, but I am excited to be graduating and putting this chapter of my life under the belt. Truth is I don't know what the future holds and that's a scary thought, but I am learning what it is to not be afraid, to be strong and courageous, to not be anxious but to trust...to trust in God-pantu, Lesa wandi mukulu, ewamaka, elo e Tata wandi.Takandekeleshe :-)
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Year's Resolution
Happy New Year!!
Wow! I cannot believe 2010 has ended and we are starting a brand new year already. Looking back to this past year, a lot of ups and downs, but it was a great year nonetheless. Some of the most wonderful memories made in 2010, some of the most meaningful relationships developed, and all in all, a year of both personal and spiritual growth for me.
With the beginning of a new year comes a desire to set resolution(s) for the year. What really is a resolution, but more specific, what is a new year resolution? "A new year resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a personal goal, project, or the reforming of a habit...generally a goal someone sets to accomplish in the coming year." I view a resolution as some sort of road map that will help guide the course of action one wishes to undertake on this 'journey' we call life. And what a journey it has been so far!
I spent sometime...a lot of time actually trying to come up with a resolution for this year; I wanted to have one that was encompassing-focusing on not just one but all aspects of my life at this point. It came down to this: "To live life to the fullest." Big deal, right! Yes, and very ambitious you might be thinking. I know I was, and still am. What does it actually mean to "live life to the fullest"?
I believe that my life has a purpose, a plan destined by Papa above (Jeremiah 29:11). I believe that as I strive to live my life according to His plan and purpose, He does immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20) and things work out for good (Romans 8:28). In that my friends, lies the secret to living life to the fullest, but it's no secret any more...now you know :-) I am going to live my life to the fullest by standing on the promises of God!
As I live my life to the fullest this year, I want to, with God's help and guidance: pray more, love more, care more, laugh more, cry more (yes, I believe it is healthy once in a while to let tears flow), play more, share more, give more, serve more, listen more and talk less. I want to make the most of my remaining time at AU as I begin my last undergraduate semester and look to graduate in May. I want to be a better son, a better brother, friend, classmate, roommate, colleague. I want to be a better servant, a better leader and example to those that Papa has placed in my area of responsibility. I want live out my personal mission, "striving to live a life of faith and love by living out the love of Christ in my day to day life."
That is my resolution for this year, so help me God.
Wow! I cannot believe 2010 has ended and we are starting a brand new year already. Looking back to this past year, a lot of ups and downs, but it was a great year nonetheless. Some of the most wonderful memories made in 2010, some of the most meaningful relationships developed, and all in all, a year of both personal and spiritual growth for me.
With the beginning of a new year comes a desire to set resolution(s) for the year. What really is a resolution, but more specific, what is a new year resolution? "A new year resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a personal goal, project, or the reforming of a habit...generally a goal someone sets to accomplish in the coming year." I view a resolution as some sort of road map that will help guide the course of action one wishes to undertake on this 'journey' we call life. And what a journey it has been so far!
I spent sometime...a lot of time actually trying to come up with a resolution for this year; I wanted to have one that was encompassing-focusing on not just one but all aspects of my life at this point. It came down to this: "To live life to the fullest." Big deal, right! Yes, and very ambitious you might be thinking. I know I was, and still am. What does it actually mean to "live life to the fullest"?
I believe that my life has a purpose, a plan destined by Papa above (Jeremiah 29:11). I believe that as I strive to live my life according to His plan and purpose, He does immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20) and things work out for good (Romans 8:28). In that my friends, lies the secret to living life to the fullest, but it's no secret any more...now you know :-) I am going to live my life to the fullest by standing on the promises of God!
As I live my life to the fullest this year, I want to, with God's help and guidance: pray more, love more, care more, laugh more, cry more (yes, I believe it is healthy once in a while to let tears flow), play more, share more, give more, serve more, listen more and talk less. I want to make the most of my remaining time at AU as I begin my last undergraduate semester and look to graduate in May. I want to be a better son, a better brother, friend, classmate, roommate, colleague. I want to be a better servant, a better leader and example to those that Papa has placed in my area of responsibility. I want live out my personal mission, "striving to live a life of faith and love by living out the love of Christ in my day to day life."
That is my resolution for this year, so help me God.
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