To the One Scared of Missing Out:

Learning to really know God for yourself can be the most amazing thing, but if you’re in high school or college, it’s not without its difficulties. Be encouraged that as your delight yourself in the Lord that suddenly the desire to go to parties or involve yourself in things that may bring you a temporary popularity or a temporary high will fade away and will be things you don’t even want or care about any more.

Plus, “you’re gooder than that”. Do you remember Adam and Eve? They lived in perfection, but were convinced that God was withholding good from them. That mistake of believing that lie cost them everything. Don’t believe the lie that God is making you miss out on something or keeping you from something good. He can bring you more joy, more good times, more true friends, more fulfillment than the world could ever dream of providing you.

Walking through this was personally really hard on me because I felt left out. I attended a major university where the culture was very party centered. I felt I had to choose between God and friends as dramatic as that sounds. What broke that for me was stirring myself up and reminding me of who I was and how much God loved me. It truly sustained me. It helped me walk in greater purpose in the midst of college, to know God in a way I never had, and gave me opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those around me, by just being the woman God made me to be. I didn’t have to be weird, over intrusive or force God on people. They were drawn to God in me, His wisdom, His love, His grace and mercy. It changed everything.

So I speak over you though to not let your heart be troubled. God knows what you are giving up, but it’s so worth anything you temporarily have to separate from. He will restore anything lost many times over. You will never regret this precious time you have in school to seek Him and get established in Him. Let me let you in on a secret, you chose victory when you chose Him. You chose life.

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life…” – Deuteronomy 30:19

In this verse it’s like God is giving everyone a multiple choice test, and He gives us the right answer because He wants us to succeed! He says, “Pssst….Choose life!” This is an amazing time! God will compensate you. He has Godly friends for you that will surround you, build you up, and encourage you. He wants you to depend on Him. He is everything you need. He will never let you down or hurt you. He is proud of you. You are building a powerful testimony. You are becoming the light and salt of the earth. You are the answer someone has been praying for.

God’s love for you is constant, deep, unsearchable, unchangeable, immeasurable, unshakable, stable, it’s solid, it’s never-ending, it never runs out, and never gives up. He treasures you and prizes you. You are His darling, and beloved. You are of great value.

You are His precious daughter/son and a citizen of Heaven. You are a daughter/son of the King. You are a citizen of Heaven. How amazing is that? You are so special! God wants to know what’s on your heart and show you things and be there for you. He cares about what you care about. He cares about the little things and wants you to lean on Him. I just really want to encourage you to trust God with the tough things you are facing and bring them to Him. God honors you and is so excited to have intimacy with you and to laugh with you and dance with you, sing with you, even just do homework with you, or whatever it is you love to do. People will try to make you feel bad or left out, but don’t even entertain those thoughts. You are light. God will more than compensate you for anything you lose.

“And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” – John 1:5

Don’t compromise. You’ll never regret it. The moon doesn’t get brighter as the night goes on; it just gets darker around it. You are like the moon, you reflect the sun (Jesus), and as the world around us gets darker you shine brighter. The world presents a way that is counterfeit for true love and joy, but what you are pursuing is the real deal. God will promote you and lift you higher to a place of restoration, peace, healing, and joy and so much more.

Dream bigger and ask Him what His purpose for your life is. Before you were born He dreamed of His purpose for your life and the things you would do. You have talents and abilities and gifts that He has given you. You have divine appointments with people you can touch. You will reflect the love of Jesus so much that people can see it in your eyes and people will want what you have. There are people waiting for you and what God has given you and spoken to you. You are special and valuable and have a unique place in the Kingdom to do amazing things. God will put His desires in your heart so you will absolutely love whatever it is and wouldn’t be happier doing anything else. Don’t give up.

God wants to bring you to a place of stability to where circumstances won’t be able to shake or affect you. He wants you to give Him your burdens because you are carrying burdens that have been already taken care of. He wants to lift them off of your shoulders and make your load light. You are worth the life of God’s son. What a great price that is, but you’re worth it. God has not forgotten you and never will. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He knew you before you were born and fell in love with you and He has never stopped. He sees you as important and valuable. He will teach you how He sees you and it won’t matter what others see, because the God of the universe values you. You are blessed and highly favored. You are His beloved. He wants to break off emotional bondage in you and free you to be the person He created you to be.

“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”                   – Romans 8:6 NKJV

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30

 “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them, for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6

I pray strength over you right now. I believe that God is revealing himself to you and showing Himself to you through His Word. In Jesus name love is overflowing you and filling you and flowing out of you right now. Thank you Lord. It is like sweet honey. God knew you and has known everything you’ve been through: every hurt, every heartache, every lonely and hurt moment, and He is ready to take you into His arms and protect you and provide for you. He is your hiding place, your refuge, your strength and joy, and everything you need.

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler^, and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.” – Psalm 91 NKJV

Rest in Him and His provision for you, see Him in your everyday, and enjoy the journey. It’s a journey you’ll never regret. As the world gets darker and darker I become more honored every day that we get to serve our God. What an honor to be a light and be His love in the darkness. God dreamed about your calling before you were born hoping you’d say yes to Him. You are loved. You are not here by accident. Your life is a revelation of God’s heart. You are called for such a time as this. Don’t compromise or settle for something ok or good, pursue and enjoy God’s absolute best in every area of your life. God loves you. He wants you to enjoy life and your time in school and growing up in freedom, not in shackles of fear of missing out.

Thank You Jesus that right now Your daughter/son’s eyes are open to see Your truth and have understanding as they read Your Word. Thank You for this precious man/woman of God and that You are showing Yourself strong in any weakness they may have. Thank You for victory and new life and new opportunities, love they’ve never experienced. Thank You that You love them so much and delight in them and are pleased with them and are proud of them. God has amazing things in store for you. Thank You God for Your purpose in their life and the unique calling on their life that You have preserved specifically for them. Be strong and of good courage and let not your heart be troubled. They are where they’re called to be, and there’s not greater place than in the center of Your love and purpose. I pray that they will press on confidently and joyfully knowing that a greater reward awaits.

“…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV