Journeying together

The obvious it is: Focusing so much on my math has been terribly unhealthy. Even education, in itself not a bad thing, has become an easy distraction from all that is lovely and good in Christ. How dangerous a position to be in, when Christ is not at the very centre! I'm sure it's not at all hard with the next (but thankfully last) two exams (4,5 June. Logic and Numerical Methods respectively) but I pray I won't slip into that state again. I was walking home from one of the ones that I found really hard yesterday (Galois, in case you were wondering) and the song that played into my ear just made me stop in my tracks and turn back to the heart of worship.

Truly, His loving kindness is better than life (Psalm 63:3), is better than my degree, than whatever else I think I have. (Deuteronomy 30:19-20) Indeed I am SO blessed by ALL that He has done(Psalm 72:18, 68:19). The numerous answers to prayer and a million little miracles and blessings even in this last week cannot be counted. What abundant life He has given and I don't want to miss it! (John 10:10) Yes, His loving kindness is better than life and I want to discover this more (Psalm 107:43), and when we are wise to seek after Christ (Psalm 14:2, 53:2, Isaiah 55:6), surely we will find ALL that we need in Him! (Proverbs 8:17, Acts 17:27- 28, John 15)

In case you're wondering, my cookies are out of the oven now and taste pretty good if I dare say so myself. Just a last quick thanks to those of you who have been giving me updates on what God has been doing in your life. Not only have they been a good distraction from my math revision but has been a great help to be able to spend more time in prayer and in praying more specifically for you. Really, that has been the most helpful "thing" for me during this exam period. It's been a good challenge and a huge encouragement to see God answer some of those prayers and I do rejoice with you greatly in those! Praise Him indeed!

I received a text message around 8:30am from a friend who I would never have expected that from, especially at that time of the day but it was a HUGE encouragement and a good challenging reminder to persevere in God's strength and joy and knowing that it is ALL for Him. (Val, if you are reading this- THANKS). Just before I started revision, while spending time in the Word and in prayer, I accidentally knocked my Bible off the table and it landed in Psalms. I had highlighted one particular verse, though I don't recall it, and it just jumped off the page. Psalm 144:1, "Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle-". Goodness! If that wasn't a verse to get me going for the day I don't know what would be! It definitely helped motivate me to revise a little more this morning too!

So we come to the actual exam. I suppose you're expecting me now to say something like "it was SO easy" or maybe you're thinking the opposite and expecting something more along the lines of "it was AWFUL! I don't know what happened!". In truth I came out feeling simply content. It was hard. I did what I could, hope it was enough but happy to say that I did my best. No more, no less. Indeed, whatever happens now, it's in the Lord's hands and He is "my loving-kindness and my fortress, my high tower and my deliverer, my shield and the one in whom I take refuge..." (verse 2) Therefore, "I will sing a new song to You, O God; on a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You, The One who gives salvation to kings, who delivers David His servant from the deadly sword... Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!" (verse 9, 15)

Well, now I am home, quite exhausted but feeling extremely blessed. My parents gave me a good break and we played 'Phase 10' just now to unwind. Woohoo! I won! I even got a few phone calls from people who have been praying for me and it certainly is humbling to think just how much I'm prayed for and how incredibly I am loved. I would write the following Psalm 145 here just to express my wonder at God's amazing goodness, graciousness and mercy in my life but I'm afraid that might take some space! Again, thank you all so much for your prayers, for your calls, emails, etc. I hope you realise that your prayers and your being a channel of His extravagant blessings is not wasted and never in vain. I pray that you will continue to be mightily used as such to many others and that I will be able to be just as much to you too!