Editor’s Note: This piece was originally published in the Fall 2014 issue of To An Unknown God, a student-run Christian journal at UC Berkeley. It has been republished here with permission from TAUG and the author, with light edits.
Dear Future Me.
There is presently an outpouring of sustained, undeserved, inexpressible joy, and it is being received in such fullness by His grace and His grace alone. But wherever you find yourself, even if it’s not this same kind of outpouring, He is God. He is good. Always.
Be grateful and do not forget: Life comes in seasons and each one is a shower of grace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Dear Future Me.
There is no fear in love. This has been your recent anthem, so trace it back to its roots: Perfect love casts out all fear and covers a multitude of sins. You have found Perfect Love, or rather, Perfect Love has found you. How sweet it is to be at the feet of Him who knows and calls you by name.
Be unafraid and do not forget: He calls us into deeper waters.
1 John 4:18
Dear Future Me.
No one has a clue what’s in store after graduation — what you’ll be doing or where you will be — there’s nothing lined up awaiting you. But it’s okay! This is what living in faith looks like right now. You’ve traded your own agendas for His abundant grace and the deepest, surest, truest, transcending peace. It’s a beautiful place to be.
Be steadfast and do not forget: This life is not your own and uncertainty is good for you.
Hebrews 11:1
Dear Future Me.
I’d like to think you haven’t forgotten these things. But in the event that you do, let it not be this: Hold onto everything else in this world loosely, hands open wide and palms facing up. The only thing worth getting white knuckles over is the Cross. All of college has been learning to let go of control (especially over the last six months) testing and living more by faith with Jesus, the only hope for salvation. You’re not just losing control anymore, but slowly, actively surrendering, yielding, and giving control up, trusting… Our fingers will try to curl up and grip parts of this world so please. Future Me. Make every effort to declare this daily: CHRIST IS ENOUGH.
Be satisfied and do not forget: Fight to stay in this posture of sweet surrender.
Galatians 2:20
Dear Me. Dear You.
No turning back.
There is nothing else worth living for.