Tuesday, January 20, 2009

The Times, They are a-Changing

I'm intrigued with the way people react to change. Some changes are quite unwelcome, while others are ushered in the door and readily accepted. Today a new President was inaugurated, bringing what many think will be "change" to America, and most people seem quite excited about it (I'll spare my personal thoughts on that). While I not might be as excited about the vague "Changes" Mr. President is pledging to achieve, I will certainly be praying that he will be given wisdom and prudence in his new place of power, knowing that all authority is established and removed by God (Romans 13:1). I certainly don't want to react to this change in the way I have often seen people do it. Some seem to curl up in a ball and become apathetic about our country and anything relating to politics simply as a way to "boycott" the executive powers that be. Others take to the streets with signs and angry shouts, calling upon what they believe should be justice brought down on the country's administration for its policies and governance that oppose the protesters' beliefs. Whatever I think of the beliefs of Mr. Obama, I respect him for being appointed to his position, and I just pray that his actions speak louder than words. I probably won't agree with all his actions either, but I know I will be hoping and trusting God that he will make decisions with the country's best interest in mind. 
While I'm on the topic of change (this isn't a very organized blog post, as I am currently demonstrating), I think I have come to realize how much life is changing for me this semester and year. There are changes that I am excited about, and ones that are proving to be challenging. I'm certainly not the person I was a year ago, and I think that's good. God has gripped my life, to use subtlety. There are so many things I'm unsure about in the future. On a large scale, I don't know where the economy is going in the next five years. Will I be able to get a job and support a family? I also don't know where I'll be after I graduate. Could I possibly be married in the next five years? Am I ready to be a Dad? In a more immediate sense, where am I going to live next year? With whom? Will I still be in college? There are so many questions that ramble in my head from the moment I wake up to the moment I fall asleep. And that is why I stress the most important change: God is working in my life. What an exciting thought! With all of my confusion, doubts, hopes, and fears, God Himself knows it all and is orchestrating my life like a grand symphony, slowly revealed as an eager me watches to see what He does next in the various movements of this masterpiece. God is good, and I think I am learning to trust Him as my Father this year, the change I am most excited about far beyond all the other potential and evolving changes. I can't wait to see where He leads next!