Crossroads

By: Lori Reeves

You may listen to this devotion in audio form via podcast here.

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

For those of you who don’t know what I “do”, I work at Central Valley Christian and serve as the high school & college counselor. One of the aspects of CVC I most value is how intentional we are as a staff to speak life and the love of Christ into each of our students. Every course taught, academic/college/personal counseling session, athletic, fine arts, or FFA event is grounded in the Word of God.

The faculty, support staff, and administration have been part of Teaching for Transformation and created their own, unique Deep Hope for our students. I’m going to share mine with you and for you:

“My deep hope is that you walk boldly into the eternal life God has in store for you.

That you have confident certainty the grace you cannot see is yours in Jesus Christ.”

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

This Friday is graduation day for the Class of 2022 and a significant milestone for them. Many are anticipating a new life adventure that includes moving away and starting college. Others are looking forward to stepping into the workforce and contributing to their community in a unique way. Some will choose to serve with a mission organization and touch down in a completely different country. All of them have been called to where they are headed for His purpose.

As I was considering the Class of 2022 and their transition from high school into something new and unfamiliar, I thought of you – my brothers and sisters in Christ at Visalia CRC. How many times have we found ourselves at a crossroad in life? Maybe it has been a new job opportunity or the loss of a job. Maybe your crossroad has been the anticipation of moving to a new city or state. Or marriage, divorce, or having to navigate widowhood. All these life experiences come with a level of either joyful anticipation, sadness, or even moments of dread.

Below is a prayer I shared with all our seniors at Central Valley Christian; but I am praying this over each of you. Regardless of what stage of life we are in, we are all continuing to grow through the daily joys and struggles of living in this world.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As you continue to grow into the person God is creating you to be, there will be (and have been) times that you experience fear, frustration, and defeat when you attempt to be Christ-like. I pray you choose to see these experiences as opportunities for growth and to build strength when you encounter future challenges. I pray that you grow in confidence – confidence that Jesus is with you through all those challenges.

I pray you see truth and that you choose to speak truth. That you do not fall into saying what you think others might want to hear or say something just to make yourself look better than someone else. Be real, be honest…be an example of what authentic, Biblical truthfulness looks like.

I pray you see the good and joy of the Lord in the middle of the storms you walk through. I pray you choose to be content in all your life circumstances – the hard ones and the easy ones. Happiness comes and goes with different moments of life. Contentment ~ this is something that will keep your heart joyful. (1 Timothy 6:6-7 – “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out.”)

I pray you know how loved you are. Ephesians 3:16-19: “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

I pray you also know each of your steps have been covered intentionally in a prayer for God’s blessing of protection, discernment (this is a big one), and wisdom.

Many blessings,

Lori Reeves