Wonderful Joy Ahead
“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” 1 Peter 1:6
This time a year ago, I had it all figured out. I was a senior in college and I already had a job lined up in New York City, as the rest of my peers scrambled around with grad school applications and job interviews for the next six months. Three days after graduation, on May 28th, I picked up my entire life and moved from Kentucky to New York City. Within two weeks, I knew it wasn’t what I wanted. But what was I going to do? I had a lease on an apartment, furniture, a JOB? I prayed. I waited. And I visited camp.
If you open my journal from June 20th through July 15th you will see 1 Peter 1:6 written over and over: “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead. Even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.” Trials are a part of life – and they cause you to grow as a person. They cause you to wait. As I waited, I planned a visit to camp over the 4th of July. I wanted to visit my family, get out of the city, and hopefully gain some perspective on the trials I was facing. Upon pulling in the gates of camp, it was as if everything in my life made sense again. Those three days visiting Greystone were happier than the entire month I had just spent in New York – and I knew there was something wrong with that picture.
But still, I waited. I waited through the trial of the teary goodbye to my parents at the airport. I waited through the trial of boarding my flight back to the City. I waited through the trial of a horrible week at work. I kept reminding myself of 1 Peter 1:6: So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead. I didn’t know when or how it was going to come, but I knew it would. I had faith.
A week after my return from camp, clarity came. After a terrible working weekend, I was finally honest with my parents about how I truly felt. Being the incredible people they are, they supported my decision to leave my job and the city. From that moment on, every thing clicked together to make “joy” happen. My employers were completely understanding. I quickly found a girl to not only take over my lease, but who wanted to buy my furniture. And best of all, Kelly Carew offered me an opportunity to work August Camp. I genuinely believe God was shining a light to lead me home… And by home, I mean Greystone.
C.S. Lewis once said – “I am sure that God keeps no one waiting unless He sees that it is good for him to wait.” How true this is. God knows our hearts, souls, and limits – He will not put us through something that we cannot endure. Trials are difficult and they challenge us in ways that make us uncomfortable. Waiting isn’t any easier. But both of these are worth it when they result in the JOY that the Lord ultimately gives us. Be patient. Be glad. There is wonderful joy ahead.