Chosen Grace

Hello Friends! And HAPPY NEW YEAR!! 2023 is here, and I am so excited to share with you what God has been doing. But, before we fully rejoice, let me take us back to my last few months.

A few months ago I was starting my first semester in graduate school. I had just graduated undergrad in May, and so when August rolled around I was excited yet nervous about starting graduate school.

I had decided to attend my undergraduate institution, because as I stated in a previous blog post, God had led me there. So, I knew that God would provide. I had God’s assurance that all would be ok, so I geared myself up for the start of the semester.

Well- the semester began. And although I saw familiar faces and was at my same old institution, things were completely different. Not only was I at a higher level of academia, I had to learn to budget, adjust to my new teaching position, and adapt to not having the same community as I had before. Needless to say, my transition into graduate school was hard.

I failed a lot, guys. And I’m not talking about failing classes, but I failed at being graceful to myself. If I’m being 100 percent honest with you all I had high hopes for myself. And when I did not adjust as easily as I thought I did, I felt like I had failed at life.

As I struggled with these feelings, I found myself getting down on myself frequently. I felt like if I did not achieve a certain goal, my entire day was ruined. This mentality began to show up in my interaction with my students and professors. One such professor- I had a really hard time adjusting to. She was late with assignments and canceled class- a lot. So this made me question her ability week after week.

One day, I sat in her seminar waiting for class to start. As she did, she did not say the usual beginning of class spill. Instead, she said these words: “Hey guys, I know this course has been confusing. And I’m sorry. We shot for the moon, but landed among the stars.”

And this struck me.

After her class, I began thinking about what she said, and soon, God began to minister revelation to me. And this is what he showed me:

“For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”

Romans 3:23, NIV

God began to show me that sometimes, we as humans fall short. And while Paul in the verse above was specifically talking about our sins, God revealed to me that this verse encompasses our desires too.

You see, when I started graduate school, I was so caught up in what I wanted to accomplish that I left no room for error. This was foolish of me, because I’m only human. And with me being only flesh and blood and bone, I’ll always fall short in some capacity.

So, when my professor said “we shot for the moon, but landed among the stars” – it touched me because it showed me that just because I didn’t meet specific goals, doesn’t mean that I did not meet a goal at all. In fact- I met tons of goals throughout the semester!

Now, let’s go Bible. The moon does have it’s God-ordained purpose to govern the night (Genesis 1:16). It’s bigger than the stars. But that does not mean that stars don’t have a purpose too.

Stars represent promises (Genesis 15). Stars twinkle and come in various shapes and sizes. No one star is the same. And sometimes, stars are more all-encompassing that the moon. They shine and twinkle, showcasing their glow.

What this means is this: just because you didn’t meet your goal, doesn’t mean you didn’t meet a goal. If you in your daily life have landed among the stars- rejoice in that! Once again, they have a purpose too.

Maybe your star is saving money, waiting to get that new car, or accepting that in this season you only need to focus on yourself. Whatever it may be- it is indeed a star that God can use for your good (Romans 8:28).

I know this blog post was short- but that’s because my message was simple. I want to encourage you all to be graceful and patient with yourself. As someone who is unlearning what “success” looks like, being graceful and patient with myself is a challenge. But it’s a challenge I’m willing to take.

As we enter this new year, I want each of you to take a step back and evaluate your lives. Look for areas that you are reaching for the moon, but constantly land among the stars. Maybe- just maybe– the stars is where God wants you to be.

For example- you remember the professor I told you about? Well, while her class was frustrating at first- it taught me more about life than the others that were designed to do so. And if that isn’t a star- I don’t know what is.

All I’m saying is this: embrace that you may fall short and remember stars still shine in the darkness.

With a new love for the stars,

Malaysia

P.S.: What are some of your new year’s resolutions? Leave me a comment down below!