Off to college I went, with a purpose and a plan. Gradually, I found myself becoming more tolerant of others and less inclined to anger. It pleased me to witness God fulfilling His promise, helping me in overcoming not just bad habits but also addictions I never imagined conquering on my own.
My relationship with God hasn’t followed a straightforward trajectory. At the beginning, it was quite superficial- I conversed with Him at my convenience, barely spent time in prayer and rarely read the bible. To me, He was a trusted confidant, someone I’d turn to when struggling with challenges.
In 2019, I resolved to have a deeper understanding of Him- His nature, character and so much more. Enrolling in a discipleship class marked the shift towards developing a personal relationship with God. It evolved from a one-sided pursuit of what He could do for me to a mutual relationship where I sought to understand what I could do for Him as well. Partnering with God led me to encounters I erroneously believed were exclusive to church leaders. I couldn’t have been more wrong!
You see, when you embark on a personal relationship with God, He has a way of calling attention to your flaws, even the seemingly inconsequential habits you’d dismissed. He magnifies them revealing a humbling truth- “I am not as faultless as I thought”. He also disrupts your plans, subtly aligning them with His desires (He’s very sleek with that. It’s so subtle that you mistake them for your own, until you realise you are starting to have the mind of Christ).
I’m still holding onto the plans we crafted at 15, but He has since broadened that vision. I know He is not a man that He should lie. He consistently reassures me that despite what appears as delays, we are still on track as He’s moulding me into the person He wants me to become.
This faith journey has been a lesson in patience, a whole lot of patience, grace, obedience and growth. Doing life with Him is an absolute joy! He is my ultimate “hype man”, my source of peace and my closest companion. To this day, I have not once looked for G and didn’t find Him- truly the best God one could ask for.
Getting to know Him, I understand that my life is like a book filled with lots of chapters. The good, the bad, the ugly and everything in between. I’ve come to realize that reading a book is akin to living life. I would never know my life’s full story as long as I’m still living it. It reminds me that even when things go wrong and the plot thickens, as plots twists, so can my lowest moments evolve into something beautiful.
I am far from perfect, as God is still doing His thing with me. Nevertheless, I am loving the woman I am becoming. I cannot recommend God enough. Knowing God is like having a cheat code to life- who wouldn’t want that advantage?
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 NIV