the verge.

We stand on the verge of something great... In order to continue on, we must strain forward, not linger behind. We look ahead and see mountains and valleys and oceans and decide that maybe ahead is a little too rough. We glance behind and see pretty faces and rolling hills and calm meadows. So many people make it to this verge, this chasm, this beginning and turn around. Why? Because there is difficulty, strife, challenge, adventure, tears, and pain to be had... But what does the past lend you? THE SAME THINGS. Pressing onward you discover that in and amongst the pain is healing. The tears, joy. The adventure, calm. The challenge, rest. The strife, victory. And the difficulty, ease.

Last night, I gave up a great job, with great youth and a great opportunity... for what? For the verge... I am now looking ahead to see a challenge beyond any I have ever experienced. Only time will tell the success or failure, but all I know is God called. This is the first time in my life I decided to go with the impossible instead of the practical. I simply and finally chose God's way instead of my own. It was easier than I thought, but then again, I'm not in Africa yet. Saying goodbye to beautiful faces and wonderful experiences was HARD. But that's what I expected. I don't believe in the warm fuzzy sugar-coated Gospel. That's not the truth. Jesus warned of persecution and strife! And yes, he also told us of great things to come when we chose the way of the Gospel, but he didn't forget to mention REALITY. The world will despise, people will persecute, and it's not always rainbows and butterflies.

To live for the now is not to forget the past, but to make sure not to live in it. It's so easy to remember and hold on to what we used to have instead of looking at what God has for us now. Blaze a new trail! I am excited for the next chapter in my life, but for a moment look back with a heavy heart as I put the finishing touches on this previous chapter. I will forge ahead, but I will never forget.

-Kristen