Today, I am now Heather Cheryl Craig, the graduate of North Central University. Currently possessing my diploma, which I still am amazed that I finished that degree, there were moments. I have my Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and Minor in Biblical Studies, holla! After leaving North Central in Minneapolis, I had no clue what to expect. I advanced at my summer job to supervisor at Kodak, and got to keep selling pictures to people on roller coasters. Honestly it is one of the funnest jobs because you get to laugh all day at the crazy pictures people take, interact with people, and make money!
I remember my seasons of I'll go anywhere God just send me. I had in the beginning of my college degree, dreamed of making an impact where I came from back in Round Lake Park, IL. But as I went on in Minneapolis, traveled to California, got to see more, I said hey God if you want to send me anywhere, I will go. So I had this mindset of moving forward, doing something different.
Well story goes, I am back in my childhood room (which is still not unpacked and organized fully), hometown, working at the same place, at the same church. It's funny how comfortable I was before and now I hate being comfortable, so I think I am at the in between.
I know God has me here for a reason. When I look around at where I work, my church, my community, there is a lot to be done here, and also to get Jesus' name out there or repaint it for people.
There have been points when I have been job searching, resume tweaking, thinking of what I can do without. But the thing is I cannot do it. It is not because I, Heather, am comfortable. It's because God is making me do something that was not my vision. When I envisioned my life after school. I envisioned getting a different job, being challenged to help people, and being in a new location again.
God's sense of humor is the thing I said a few years ago when some dude made an announcement that the world was ending at 6 p.m. on a certain day. My status update read something along the lines of "the world is not over, our task is not yet finished" and it is so true. I mean look at our society, there are Christians, lovers of God out there, but are there enough churches standing up for what is right, loving the poor, the lowest, the highest, making impacts?
For me is it loving my parents, family, everyone even in the midst of things you don't understand, they make dumb decisions, and even affect relationships and put you in the middle, yes, yes it is.
Back where I am from, I am around some people my age, others younger, older, whatever. But I do not see a lot of Jesus loving happening, or an impact being made. I challenge ya'll to step out of the comfort zone whatever that looks like.
Right now, I am transitioning from college life, city life, to suburban life, not as deep spiritual friends life, it is a challenge, and I'm telling you I've had my breakdowns, just last week actually.
But the thing is, it is good. Right now I am in the refiner's fire.
So I challenge myself to put my all into my job, into my social justice class at church, into the worship night for all ages I am putting on by God's strength in me. Those are the things at hand I need to keep my eyes on, nothing else.
And believe me I still get distracted by finding other jobs, guys, vacations, sobbing over my friends I miss, getting discontent.
But in the end, the thing that matters is where do I run to?
Where do I run to at my lowest points?
A. Do I run to God?
B. Do I run away from the tasks He's handed to me because they are too hard?
C. Do I cope with friends, or a daily habit?
D. Do I just mope? Sit? Stay? And never do anything about it?
Well I'll tell ya'll I do all of those things at some point or another. But the top thing on my list, even if it's a rough morning and I turn on worship music the whole morning, that's what I do. Because life is going to be hard, it's never going to be easy, simple, la de dah, get ready.
I have to remember I'm fighting a battle to win souls, love people, and get people into God's kingdom, not preserve myself and never get in the mud, but to get strong and get called by God to take on challenges and fight on His behalf.
So I challenge you today. God loves you, He has a great plan for you.
You, my friend, are precious in His sight, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. But the thing is are you going to stand and believe it? Or say it and hide it behind a bushel (bush)?
You, are loved, by a Creator, who if you think about every day is rejected a million times, and loves those people, as well as you, as well as everyone in this world.
Think about your rejection level and how it affects you?
Now do what God has for you, and stick to it, I'm telling you there is NOTHING better in life but to pursue His calling, because it will never leave you, He will never forsake you, and you will never feel empty or worthless!
Sincerely,
Heather Cheryl Craig
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