Yesterday at Bible study, the Lord gave me a thought-one that intrigued and made me reflect on what project really means. I started writing this blog but then stopped. I did not know if the Lord was still teaching me something about this. I often find myself starting a blog but then finishing it months later-sometimes the Lord starts teaching me something but it often turns into a continual process.
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word "project" has many different meanings. Here are a few:
-to put or set forth
-to attribute (one's own ideas, feelings, or characteristics) to other people
I often find myself saying: "When project ends..." or "After project is over.." but it is not something that ends. The actual project itself may end but the experiences and the things we have learned will continue to shape how we live our lives. When I first thought of the word project, I thought of something like a school project-it demonstrates what we have learned and can close up a unit of study. Summer project is the opposite. We sign up, raise support, trust God, and learn more about Him. We are truly being equipped for the rest of our lives.
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| In Hoboken, NJ (NYC is right behind us) |
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| Watching fireworks with my house |
I can bet that most of us, if not everyone, desires to have that "project experience" and to leave with amazing stories of what God did. I know I do. We try to pinpoint one single experience to define our time on project but it is impossible. Project is made up of the many moments-the fun, hard, and scary moments. God is doing something different in each of our lives. Not one experience will be the same. The Lord has convicted me of how I desire this type of experience-not for His glory, but for my own. I should be desiring stories that point others to Him and allow God to be glorified.
Lately, I have been cherishing the time I have here on project because I know our time is limited here. Come August 2nd, project will end but it will not be over. In reality, project will never end for us. On August 2nd, we will leave each other and the community we have formed over the past ten weeks. The things that we have learned, the impact this community has had, and the training we have received will not leave us. In reality, the end is just the beginning! It is hard to look at project that way-August 2nd will be a day full of hard goodbyes, but just to each other-the lessons we have learned will live on.
I am definitely ready to go home but not ready to leave. It's a difficult contrast to have. I cannot describe how much I love this community and how genuine it has been over the past 7 weeks. I've only known these people since the end of May and we are already closer than ever. I've experienced close community before, but this one takes the cake. This is my last summer as a college student and I am so thankful I am spending it on project. As of today, we have three weeks left here. In three weeks I am going to say some of the hardest goodbyes. 21 days. I'm ready to be back in the Midwest but not ready to leave. The next three weeks are going to be great. God is going to do big things. And that is just the beginning.
With Blessings,
Heather
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