Musings on starting this blog

It is shocking to think that 5 months have flown by in the blink of an eye. As my year here draws nearer to a close, I have begun to mull over the idea of a blog. Yes, indeed, there are personal things that I would much rather have in a private journal of sorts, accessible only by me and can easily be "wiped of evidence" should I ever run into a situation that requires it, but somehow technology has become such an inseparable part of myself, that I find it difficult to express myself by hand. There are errors, cross-outs, and whiteouts; somehow it's just incomparable to the convenience of typing. I guess I am a child born within the new era of technology. So as a result, acknowledging this fact I suppose has led me here to this blog's nascence/creation.

I've tried blogs before in the past, and I suppose that those were never successful enough, probably explaining my hesitancy, but somehow I need to get back into the habit of writing, something I feel I have long since forgotten... and the skill seems to be escaping me the longer I remain in China.

So, on to the explanation for why I would name my blog as "trusting the compass." As I think back to my mission in Taiwan, now almost 3 years ago, what stuck in my mind was our debriefing session in Gaoxiong. The leader spoke of a book that refers to the Lord's direction as a compass. As humans, we do not like relying on the indefinite nature of a compass. Compasses simply point in a single direction (N) and you have no idea where it will lead you. There is a level of trust that is required. Yet, what we would like is a map, with clear instructions, probably like mapquest that even tells you the miles, how many minutes it will take and what the traffic conditions may be like (if you are so lucky as to find such definite instructions). Inasmuch as we do not like this level of uncertainty, I think when we apply this analogy to Christians, we struggle with this same concept. We like certainty as people, but as Christians, faith requires us to simply believe. The Lord gives us a direction to travel, and tells us "Go!" But I think we often lack the faith to follow, because we don't know where he'll lead us and how that journey will go. We may have an idea of the ultimate destination, at times we don't, but it is this uncertainty of how to get there that troubles us as a people.

I think that's why I chose the name "Trusting the Compass." This year in China has shown me that the Lord indeed has been guiding me since day one when I started college. I was always so negative, because there was constant uncertainty. What if I couldn't handle the classes? What if I can't situate myself in China? What if they won't be able to find me an internship? And even now, what if my job is completely too hard or too easy? But if I trust in the Lord and follow the direction He has pointed out, the outcome is always far better than I could imagine. Being here has been a blessing. Whether it is scholarships, my roommate, the friendships I've built, the networks I've lain, all of it has been in the Lord's will. I can't even begin to count my blessings, and I think I've even forgotten so many along the way. The Lord has been good to me, and I truly desire this as a motto for myself, to trust in the compass that is the Lord. If he calls me, I will follow. I need not know where He calls me to, but I need to trust that He has His purpose and that the Father's decision/direction is best for me.

At the moment, I do not know what this blog will serve as, but hopefully it will remind me of the Great things the Lord has done for me along the way. I want to document each bit, if even it is just an experience, may they all play out in a way that brings glory to the Lord.