What I know at (almost) 24

I write from my favorite spot in this cozy Jackson House apartment, the end of my roommate's sofa where my legs can stretch out straight, and I am settled in here with mug of tea, books, journals, my big brown study bible, and the valley of vision. This is a typical Tuesday morning for me- up early, tidy up, make a smoothie, and sit down for a long and uninterrupted time with the Lord in his word. The fact that this is a normal day for me and the way I am eager to spend my Tuesday mornings is a gracious evidence of God working in my life because it reflects a growing and much deeper love for the Scriptures than I have ever known before. This is what I know as I near year 24; I know more of God's faithful and steadfast mercy, and this year more than ever before, I have grown in a stability grounded in the Lord's unchanging kindness. A year ago, I was just finishing up my first six weeks on campus, a big milestone. I was bright-eyed and excited about everything, really thriving. In the seasons since then, my joy has not changed. I have, and still am, wrestled for contentment and perseverance, but I see how God is teaching me to be more steadfast, the way he is, even when I am tempted to be overcome with fear or disappointment. Over this past year, I have been given the great and precious privilege to spend a tremendous amount of time studying the Bible. Hearing it! Teaching it! Reading it! Memorizing it! Meditating. Savoring. Quoting. More and more, the Bible is to me a great and endless treasure chest, and its depths I can never sound. I have grown in prayer this year. More honest, more consistent, more soaked in the words of scripture. Though I see much prayerlessness in my life, I also give thanks to God for my increased love for prayer and joy in it. I've learned a lot this year about people. I'm learning more about how to ask for stories, and how to encourage others to see what is true about God, despite their circumstances. I've learned a lot this year about God's design for us in our work, and how I was created in Christ Jesus for good works. I'm learning about how quickly passion and zeal can fade in the harsh reality of truly mundane faithfulness. I'm seeking to trust my Savior for obedience in the ebbs and flows of desire and zeal. I'm learning that he is faithful to always supply my needs. I am rejoicing at 24 to look back at years past as I come to similar junctions and decision points to recognize how much my heart has been transformed to crave from the heart submission and conformance to Christ above the desire to please my flesh. I am facing the unknowns of the future to my Lord's trusted hands with greater abandon, joy, and fearlessness.  The greatest desire of my heart is to know and be like Christ, and even when warring against the flesh, I can see God's spirit in me, ultimately having the victory. I long for union with the Lord. I long to be made into his image. I set my hope on the grace that will be brought to us at the revelation of Jesus Christ. And I praise the God of all grace who can transform sinners like me to be like his son from one degree of glory to another.

Jesus, please come quickly!