Making BIG decisions...

"With all your heart, you must trust the Lord and not your own judgement. Always let Him lead you, and He will lead the road for you to follow."

- Proverbs 3:5-6

When trying to make big decisions in life, it is easy to start stressing out about what is the right choice to make. Often times we envision the path of following God's will as a difficult one with aberrations at every turn that occur due to poor decision making. Sure we can get back on the right path, but it would be hard. And their is only one right path to take.

As I have recently received my college decisions, I am now in a place where I must decide where I want to go to university; which is scary. I'll tell you why I am/was scared. First off, I am paying for the entirety of my college education. Secondly, I have no idea how I am paying for my college education. Thirdly, I am afraid of choosing the wrong college that will deviate me from God's plan, and off the path of His will.

That being said, I want to tell you about how God has spoken to me over the past two weeks regarding my decision making process.

First off, God brought four incredible people into my life that have given me great insight, and have served as God's messengers to me. The first was the previous mayor of the city I live in. I had the pleasure of sitting down and chatting with her over lunch... her advice? Don't worry too much about which college you go to because you will end up in the right place either way. (So does that mean that their are multiple paths to fulfilling God's will for your life?)

Next, my college career counselor said the same thing, and then I prayed that God would bring a third person into my life that would affirm the first two points of view. He decided to use the assistant dean and head of the international relations department at a local state school to tell me the same thing. However, He also used her to steer me in the direction away from local and state schools to accept one of my other offers from more prestigious institutions. However, I still wasn't sure.... 

"God, does it really not matter what school I choose? Would it not be better to accept an offer from one of the Christian schools I was accepted to over offers from some of the most liberal schools in the nation? Sure, some of the other schools have better academic programs, but what about my spiritual growth. Will I still grow into the Christ following young woman that I am meant to be?" So I prayed. Again. This time, I prayed that he would bring a Christian into my life that would affirm that once again the decision lied in my hands, and God would use any of the institutions to still execute His will for my life.

The following day, I met (in passing) a pastor of a local church and mentioned I was in the midst of college decisions. He offered up the same advice, and all of a sudden a huge smile came on my face. I thanked him profusely while explaining that he was the answer to my prayer, and finally I had my affirmation.

No matter what decision I make I know that God is with me, God will use me, and I will still be able to fulfill the full glory that God has meant for my life.

Before this all even occurred, I was sitting in church a couple Sundays ago and we talked about the Holy Spirit. The leader of the teen ministry that I was attending said that in times of decision making the Holy Spirit will guide us and we are to follow the leading of Him. However, this is more of a feeling rather than praying and getting a definitive answer (often times). He said that God will work through your decision, and use you amidst your choices. 

As the month comes to a close, my decision comes closer and closer. The May 1st deadline looms, and I must decide between over 8 different institutions as to where I will attend in the Fall (that is ignoring wait lists as well). 

I will pray that God will lead me, open financial doors, and pave the way for my future. I may not know what will come and I may not know how I will get there, but I do know that this winding road of life does not end here. I will continue to grow and move forward in life despite the tasks ahead of me, and I look forward to coming out of them and looking back at how God has worked in my life.

- xoxo SP

(Sorry if there are spelling/ grammar mistakes.... I often write these very quickly as journal entries that I share in hope to help you if you are facing similar situations ) 

"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."

- Jeremiah 29:11 

* P.S. this is my favorite verse.