Have Confidence in God

Verses: Matthew 14: 22-33

I haven't always wanted to be a teacher. In fact, the idea of working at a school the rest of my life when I struggled with it for so many years actually repulsed me. But ever since I returned from my Disney College Program, I've been blessed to teach first, second, and third grade at my church. In that time, I have learned more about myself as an individual, as well as God's basic truth.

A few weeks ago, I was teaching a New Testament story found in Matthew 14. Most people have heard the story of Jesus walking on the water, commanding Peter to have confidence to walk to him; Peter tries, and almost fails because in the back of his mind, doubts Jesus and falls prey to his own fears.

Many times in our own lives, we fall prey to our own fears instead of seeking confidence in God. An example in my life is a fear of falling short of other peoples expectations. This correlates directly with work, college, and my personal life.

I've worked at Starbucks for almost three years in total. I have sacrificed so much of my time and energy in order to be independent that I wasn't focusing on graduating school. I was too afraid to ask myself the most basic question: what next? I assumed that eventually I would figure it out (Keyword: "I"). In all honesty, I should have been asking God "What next?"

I learned three basic things:

1. Our bottom line: Stay focused on Jesus

2. God's basic truth: I can trust God no matter what

3. Our series focus: Confidence- Living like you believe what God says is true

For the first time in years, over the next few weeks I lived out these three things. To prove it to myself, I did something drastic: I quit my main source of income at Starbucks because it was mentally and emotionally draining. I took a leap of faith, walking out on to stormy waters towards my Savior because I knew that if I trusted him, everything would be okay. And I was tested one last time. It was arguably the longest two weeks of my life. I cried at work and at home. My parents didn't trust that I had a plan for my future. I found out a close friend threw me under the bus after I openly admitted why I wanted to quit and why working conditions weren't ideal, which in turn led to petty drama. My last day at Starbucks was arguably the most difficult day at work in a while because of how understaffed we were. After being a partner for three years, all I got was a verbal 'thank you' from my new manager.

Yet somehow, after realizing I had been working a thankless job, I remained positive and confident that God had a plan for my life. This was demonstrated by how I was able to visit a counselor at my school, figure out a plan of action, and graduate in their early childhood development degree by Spring of 2019. I've already been offered two separate jobs, neither of them in food service. All the stress and anxiety I've been feeling for years as a shift lead at Starbucks has subsided. Even though I may fall short of other's expectations, I've learned that God's expectations are what matter the most. I am truly moving on to a new chapter of my life, and by spring of 2019, I can apply to be a preschool teacher.

Two years ago, I never thought I'd reach this point. I used to have a fear of public speaking, but after reading God's word to a classroom of kids each week, I realized I was meant to teach the next generation. I've learned that you need to practice what you preach. We need to live like we believe what God says is true. And no matter what hardships we go through, if we trust in God, we will come out of the storm stronger than ever.