Let Go and Let God

In order to accomplish a goal successfully, one of the best things an individual or group can do to attain that goal is to develop a plan.  A plan provides a step by step procedure of how various elements can be used to achieve a goal.  If I do X and Y in this order then Z, the goal, will occur.

We have all developed a plan at some time in our lives, whether it's been for a big exam, a sports team or planning a night out with friends.  Some plans are simpler than others and can be executed easily; others require a little bit more work and may not be achieved as easily.  

When I arrived at Siena Heights in the fall of 2009 I had a plan.  The plan was to earn a degree in biology and play volleyball for four years en route to graduating in May of 2013.  I wanted to be a student-athlete and that was it.  End of story.  My freshman year that plan held pretty true to form, but my sophomore year things began to change very quickly.  I suddenly began to meet a lot of new people and become involved on campus...sometimes I think I became a little bit too involved.

I joined three new organizations, and began working as an orientation team leader in the fall in conjunction with welcome week and the First Year Experience program.  These were things that I did not anticipate doing when I arrived at Siena.  However, looking back I'd say my involvement on campus was definitely a good change in plans.  I had MY plan, but God quickly said, "No no, we're going to do things my way."  My involvement on campus was imperative for the development of my faith, although at the time I had no idea.

My freshman, sophomore and junior years went by relatively quickly and my involvement continued to develop.  It wasn't until this past summer between my junior and senior year that I received a relatively large wake up call.  A call that I couldn't do this whole grad school thing on my own.

In May 2012 I traveled to Colorado to attend The Ultimate Training Camp hosted by Athletes in Action and Colorado State University.  The camp was designed to teach college athletes how to be motivated and to play for God rather than being motivated and playing for worldly things.  The camp was a week long and culminated in a 1 mile run up a mountain, Golgatha.  Each camper was given a 2x4 piece of wood to be carried on the shoulders while running up Golgatha.  It was in the early afternoon and the position of the sun casted my shadow on the road in front of me.  The shadow resembled Christ hanging on the cross in His final hours.

Completely exhausted, I raised my head and peered at the landscape in front of me, a large glistening lake to my left and countless mountains in front of me.  A true testament to God and His power.  Wow.  It was at that point that things "clicked" and I realized I needed to let go and let God.  The mile run up Golgatha occurred after a sequence of 24 hours of exercise without much rest.  I was physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually drained.  At that point I turned it all over to Him, let Him take control and get me to the finish line at the top of the mountain.

Attending UTC came at the absolute perfect time.  From the beginning of the grad school application process in July I knew, regardless of the situation that I needed to let go of my plan and let the Lord execute His.  There is an incredible peace that comes with letting go of everything and letting God take over.  I think a lot of people become worried during a process like applying for grad school; I don't have time to worry.  All worrying would do for me is waste my time and energy, not to mention throw a large stress on my life.  People have complemented me throughout this process for my "mature attitude" and "mature outlook", but I'll tell you right now, I've got NOTHING to do with it.  The Lord has given my an incredible peace and a incredible amount of faith in Him and His plan throughout this process.  

Sometimes the world feels like it's crashing down and there is no way out.  I'll tell you first hand though, there is a way out.  Let go of the expectations of this world and your plan and turn it over to the Lord.  Complete surrender.   We need to surrender everything, not just part of our lives...everything.

This idea might seem a little bit daunting at first but you have to have faith.  I'm not perfect and have not reached that point of total surrender, but I am continuing to trust the Lord to some day get me to that point.  

You can do it.

Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."