Ride the Wave

"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

As cliché as it might be, I am quickly approaching a crossroads in my life. In forty-eight days I will be graduating from Elmira College. In one hundred and forty-five days I am getting married. I am applying for three Graduate Assistant positions at college, but I won't know if I have a job or a place to live until June. Needless to say, I've been slightly freaking out. I know I am qualified, I deserve a position, and I have immense support from my fiancé, friends, and family. Still with such uncertainty looming in the distance, I can't help but to doubt myself sometimes.

Rewind to last Saturday. I am home for Spring Break and my sister and I decided to see the movie Soul Surfer. Let me begin by saying, if you haven't seen it yet, you need to! It is an inspiring true story about surfer Bethany Hamilton. At age thirteen, Bethany was attacked by a shark, which severed her left arm. Bethany did not let the attack end her dream of surfing. With unbelievable determination and faith in God she went on to become a pro-surfer and inspiration for millions.

One verse that was in the movie that stuck with me was Jeremiah 29:11. "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." For the past month I've been worrying about my future and trying to figure out a plan, but in that verse God has promised me that he has a plan for my life. I know God will lead me down the path that is best for me. I'm sure I will still experience those moments of uncertainty sometimes because I am human, but I have faith that God will carry me through any situation. Bethany Hamilton's trust in God and courage to overcome a shark attack makes me know that I can make it through graduation and into the real world. I am so thankful I had the chance to see this movie and learn about Bethany's faith with my sister!

To read more about Bethany Hamilton and the movie Soul Surfer check out these websites:

http://bethanyhamilton.com/
http://www.soulsurferthemovie.com/

- Nicole