Teach Me Your Ways.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your waysand my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

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I know it's been a while since I last posted, but this season has been really busy and chaotic. During this chaotic month, I've been dwelling on this topic. To warn you now, I haven't figured out the answers to the questions I am about to share with you, but I'm hoping the Lord will reveal them to both you and me someday.

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I am transitioning out of my summer semester and into the fall semester of my sophomore year of college. I shared in the last devotional that I am in a community college and hoping to transfer this year. I am going to start applying to colleges again, and if you've read any of my older devotionals, you might remember that the first time I did this, the results had a huge impact on me for a while. This summer has been filled with summer classes and meetings with my college counselors and advisers about the future, and there's been a lot of hopelessness and confusion on my end.

I've been saying it a lot: I don't necessarily know what I want to "do with my life" or where I see myself in five years. But as I've been planning for the next two years, and the conversations about colleges, careers, majors, and professional opportunities have been coming up again, I've been wrestling with the definition of success.

For me, success is often viewed through a very "materialistic" and "American dream" lens.

When I think of what a "successful life" looks like, I envision money and a good job, a couple of degrees under my belt, a stable marriage, a nice house, and a nice car. Most importantly, I think of mental and economic stability.

But isn't there more to life than money? What about the souls longing for rest?

Would I be willing to sacrifice everything I desire for the sake of God's will being done in and through me?(If you read my reflection from Mount Carmel, you know this is a constant theme I struggle with)

This last month, I have been wrestling with this theme and have found myself asking these questions:

• Lord, what is YOUR definition of success?

• Lord, what is YOUR definition of love?

• Lord, what do YOU want to do with my life?

I warned you at the beginning, I don't know the answers to these questions.

But I do know that God does NOT measure my worth and capability based on how much money I make or how many degrees I earn. I don't think God is moved by the shiny new car, house, or wedding ring. While these things can be used to give Him glory, I don't get a ticket to heaven because I obtained them in my lifetime. and I know that as a human, I make so many mistakes, and the Lord is constantly correcting me in His love and shaping the way I see and understand His love.

I can't pretend to comprehend how God views such topics, and I don't know if we will ever fully understand the what and why behind His actions while we are on this earth. However, a verse that has given me such peace is Isaiah 55:8-9.

a few things for you to think about:

What is your definition of success? Do you feel the Holy Spirit challenging you to align yourself with God's vision of success rather than your own?

What is your definition of love? Is it biblical?

What are you asking God to redeem? Are you willing to accept His redemption even if it doesn't look exactly like you'd hoped?

"Lord,

I ask that you teach me your ways.

I don't always know what you are doing, and I don't always understand why you do them, but help my soul find comfort in the truth that your ways are not my wicked and perverse ways. Your thoughts are not my narrow and tainted thoughts. You are the epitome of goodness; your character is love. You are the giver of grace, the one who redeems and restores. Your ways and thoughts are higher than my own, so reshape my definition and align me with your vision of success and love. Continue drawing me toward you. Continue correcting me and reforming me in your love. I might not understand what's happening, but I am convinced there is no better place to rest than in your arms, so let me dwell in your presence as you love me till the point of transformation. Amen."