His Ways Over Mine

For my whole life, I dreamed of going to this well-known university in my state. Growing up, I would go to many football games at this school with my dad. I also attended quite a few camps and workshops that were hosted there, so I was on campus often. My brother, along with many others that I knew, went to college there as well. One of my friends and I even made plans to live in a dorm together while attending this university. It only made sense for me to spend the next four years of my life after high school there.

Then the day came around where I needed to select what college I was going to attend. I never thought twice on where I was going to go since I always had my dream school in mind… until a few days before I had to make the decision. For those few days, another school came to my mind to attend. This is another university in my state, but it is not as well-known or big as my dream school. I knew a few people who went to this university, but not as many as I knew who went/were going to the other one. I started to pray about it, and I felt like God was leading me to this smaller school. As I continued to pray for clarity, I felt God’s peace over my mind. That was when I made the choice of attending the other school instead of the one I always dreamed of.

Once I started my freshman year at this university, I began to regret my decision. I tried to get involved on campus, enjoy my classes, and make new friends, but none of it was working out. I would always see my friends posting on social media of all the fun they were having at their colleges and with their new friends. While I was so happy for all of them, I felt like I made the biggest mistake of choosing to go to this university rather than the other one.

I finally went to God in prayer and fully surrendered my ways and thoughts to Him. Even though I was confused why God led me to this school, I knew He had a greater plan for me there than I would understand during that time. I wanted Him to take full control of my life and lead me in the path that would ultimately draw me closer to Him and let my life be a testimony of His goodness. I prayed that His Will would be done, and not my own. While I prayed these things, I also asked God to reveal to me the purpose He had for me attending college at this university.

As for most of us, I didn’t get an answer to that last question right then and there after praying. It took the rest of my college career to understand why the Lord brought me to this school.

At the end of my freshman year, I met one of my best friends. I know she was a God-send friend for me to do life with during that season of life. To this day, we are still just as close. During my sophomore year, I took on a different major that I was truly passionate about. I absolutely loved the classes in that program, and I had the best professors teaching them. I was also able to get involved in a few different ministries on campus, which allowed myself to grow more - not only as a leader, but in my spiritual walk with God too. These were just some of the amazing things that God was providing for me while attending college there. By the end of my senior year, I was so grateful that the Lord led me to this school.

Isaiah 55: 8 & 9 says, “‘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 ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’”

Looking back, I see how God’s hand had guided through every step I took at this University.

There were many hills and valleys that were faced, but His faithfulness clearly paved the way. I learned so many lessons through my time at this University - one of those lessons being how to truly depend on God and trust in His plans.

Sometimes, we may think we know what is best for our own lives. We try to plan out every detail, not realizing that God’s plan for us may be different than what we may want. However, our Heavenly Father knows exactly what is best for each of us. As Proverbs 3: 5 & 6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight”.

For those starting school this month, or those who may be going through a new season in life, allow yourself to submit your ways to God. He will use what you may think is imperfect and not ideal to let His Glory shine through and reveal the perfect plan that He always had for you.

Love,

Allisa

A Woman of Worth