When I was 15 years old, I did what most 15-year-olds do. I got my learners permit so that I could begin learning to drive. No big deal right. Well it kinda became a big deal when I turned 20 years old and still had to ask my parents for rides. Yep. That’s right. It took me five years to get my license. However, it wasn’t until recently that I finally understood why. For the first 4 years after receiving my learners permit, I did what any good student does. I put off (or procrastinated) learning to drive as much as I could. Of course, my parents would teach me little things here and there, but it wasn’t until I was 19 years old that I got serious about learning. To be honest, I was scared. Really scared. Getting behind the wheel, having the lives of not only myself, but also my passengers and the individuals in the cars around me in my hands absolutely terrified me. So at the time, I simply tried to avoid it. And I successfully did so for 4 years. It wasn’t until I took a step back, prayed to God, and took everything one step at a time did I finally learn to drive and, yes, pass my drivers test (on the first try). I started back at the parking lots and made my way to driving on streets. Now I’m confident enough to drive on my own (even at night lol).

You’re probably wondering why I would tell you that long story when the title obviously says this is about “faith”. Well, sit back because I have another short story to tell you.

If you don’t know me personally (which most likely you don’t), you probably don’t know that I am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Since my junior year of high school, I have always had the idea of opening my own bakery (as a manager, not a baker). However, recently I have been wavering. Somehow, in the mess of growing up and going to school, I started to doubt whether the ideas in my head were plausible ideas for my future. I felt like I was standing at the start of a marathon with an unknown course. I was, and sometimes still am, afraid to start the race because in life, there is no way to see what is along the path. I, being an obsessive planner, couldn’t seem to find comfort in this. It wasn’t until a couple weeks ago that I realized this was actually not a crisis of self, but a crisis of faith. So I am going to let you in on a little something God told me (and yes it does relate to both of my stories):

Hebrews 11:1 NIV “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Now let’s take a closer look at that “being sure of what we hope for” part. Hope (noun version) as described in the dictionary is the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best. As a true believer in God my Father and Jesus Christ my Savior, I sincerely believe that wherever I end up will be for the best, because God planned it. My problem lies with the journey to that end. With that in mind, here are a few lessons I learned from learning how to drive that I can apply to my life (and hopefully you can apply to yours):

1. The intense fear of the unknown is often unwarranted. The actual journey (of learning to drive, of life, etc.) is not as bad as the mind makes it out to be because God is always there beside you and in front of you leading the way. Acts 2:25-28
2. The closer to the destination you get, the easier the journey becomes.This is not because the path gets smoother (on the contrary, it sometimes becomes rougher), but because you become more experienced and knowledgeable about how to deal with the path’s ups and downs. And your faith grows stronger.
3. Fear held me back for four years. If only I had powered through my fear the first year, I could have avoided four years of fear, anxiety, stress, and pain. So the third lesson is: Putting off beginning your journey does not make it any better/easier. It can actually make it worse. Therefore, sitting at the starting point of your marathon, attempting to map out where the path will take you, will only lead to frustration, sadness, and more fear because you will never figure it all out.

So [insert your name here], put on your faith and start walking. I learned that I can’t sit in my room stressing myself out about whether I can do all that I wanted to do with my life. While I wait on God to show me what he wants me to do, I need to keep on walking. Because waiting is active. When your sit around doing nothing, that is not waiting, that is idleness [Ecclesiastes 11:6] and it will get you nowhere. Instead, do like Mary Mary said and keep walking. Keep walking in faith and reminding yourself that God is in control and the end will be for the best.

I hope this helps someone out there. If not, I’m just glad to share(:

K.J.  07/2015