Changing for the Better

I guess you can say college has changed me. I mean I wouldn’t say its a bad thing. I’m still the same person at heart, but my mind isn’t the same. I’m more mature than I was before. I’m more compassionate. I’m more appreciative.

Change isn’t always a bad thing. For 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 said,

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

The Lord is saying that change is okay. Don’t lose heart in leaving behind things that are holding you back. Every day is a new day to grow and get closer to Him. Things are temporary, but He is everlasting.

When you are scared about change or worried about what people have to say about you, say to yourself Jeremiah 29:11,

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Life can be really rough sometimes from being homesick, feeling alone and empty, to even stressing from finals. BUT the Lord is telling you that his plans are so MUCH greater than what you’re feeling!! Just because you are confused now doesn’t mean there isn’t a brighter future for you. God is putting these struggles in your life to help you grow and mature, and that's exactly what college has done for me. There are times I’ve drastically drifted from Him, but then I realize I am NOTHING without Him. The Lord is shaping me into the person I am today and for the future, and each day I “change” just a little bit more.

We are un-bloomed flowers waiting to bloom in a gorgeous field of color. The Lord tells us to,

Bloom where you’re planted. 

It doesn't matter where you are or what you are doing, but HOW you are doing it. What impact are you making? How are you serving the Lord in your every day life? What light is shining on you to help you bloom into a beautiful, bright flower? How are you helping people breath? How are you making people smile? How are YOU blooming where you're planted. Stop trying to figure out the reason of why you're at the place that you are, but ask yourself "What can I do to make an impression of this place? How can I spread love in this place? How can this place change me for the better?"

God has placed you here for a purpose, Whatever it might be; Know He has chosen you for it And labor faithfully. —Anon.

When people tell me that I have “changed”, I ask them the simple question of “how?” They usually don’t give me an answer other than “you just have”. I guess it's my outer appearance that seems different? My personality? I will never know, but the way I think I have changed is that I don’t care about what people have to say about me anymore. I don’t care about my outward appearance as much as I did in high school, I don’t care about petty teenage drama, I don’t care about materialistic things anymore.

I care about my mental health. I care about my wellbeing. I care about my school work. I care about what impact I’m making on the world around me. I care about my relationships with people, mostly my relationship with the Lord. I care about myself.

Next time someone tells me I have changed, I will thank them. I’m glad I’ve changed because in high school I wasn’t sure of myself, but now I know exactly who I am.