Time to Grow Up

I moved Monday. Into my new town. Into my new apartment. Into my new school. Into my new life. I realize that what I have done is something new for my family. I have risen out of the ashes of mediocrity and gone to college. I have strengthened my faith, my hope, and my life with God. I have truly learned (in the short time I've been here) that isolation doesn't bring closer to yourself - it brings you closer to the one's you missed.

I went to sleep on Monday night. On Tuesday, for the first time, I opened my eyes for the first full day of this journey. I was born into my world, without dying out of the old one (at least I hope not). Yet, even as I laid in bed looking at my new ceiling, in my new bed, I realized the newness of this life isn't matched with the struggles and triumphs of the old life. I have grown into something more than I could ever have expected to be. I have conquered that which has plagued my family. I am going to college. I am going to succeed. Now, don't misunderstand me. I do not say that I am not proud of my parents, for they gave me more than I could ever thank them for. Nor am I saying that they did not succeed. What I mean is I reached a milestone which, up until this point, has not been conquered by any person in my family. I know that I'm where I'm supposed to be because of how ecstatic I feel being here.

As I stood out on my balcony, outside my apartment, I understood that everything in my life has, so far, been building up to this one magical moment. This time when I can grow, and live on my own. I understand now, that what God wants in my life is just this. He wants me to succeed. In every venture. I guess that promise has never sank in until now. This promise of fulfillment. This hope for the future. I know that I can do it, because God is with me. God is guiding me. Satan is trying to pull me down. But my success is not measured in how many times I fail, but how many times I overcome the failure. It's not measured in how many dreams I make, but in how many dreams come true. My success is not dependent on any one thing, except my desire to get where I want to go.

I travel through this world with nothing more than hope and faith - but I realize now, that is all I need. For God is guiding me. I know, as I stare out above these trees, that God makes Kings from the smallest peasants. For a Kingdom is nothing more than the intentional success of one lonely man, who wants to make a difference. My kingdom will be for God. My desire will be for God. My new life, in my new school, in my new apartment, in my new town, will be for God. I have been resurrected into a new aspiration to please God - through what I learn at school, and life.

They say every ending is a new beginning. But what if every beginning is a new ending? What if we go along one journey until something new happens? You don't quit one job until you start working at another. Then why would you end one journey before another begins? I know this is a beginning of my new life. This is also the end of my old life. My life where I desired earthly things. Now, I will live for God. In everything I do. It pleases me to please him.

This is my Declaration of Christianity. This is my Declaration of Independence. This is my new life. I will live, grow, and walk with the Lord. Live for him.

As I go to bed each night, I will wake with the knowledge that whatever God has planned for me, I will succeed.

My new life is Independence. My new life is Prospect. My new life is Success.