I met God at 5 years old. I had a glimpse of my future self and in a still small voice He explained what I was going to accomplish. I left that vision feeling equipped with this knowledge that I was going to do something amazing with my life. By the age of 12, my world felt like it had shattered. With the vision in mind, I still wanted to leave this life. I believed there was a God, but I couldn't help but have some questions for God.
I met God again at 19, after depression and anxiety gripped me so hard while I was in college. It was a hold so strong, I couldn't shake it no matter how hard I try. All I wanted to do was go home. After I couldn't muster up the courage to push any further, I decided that it'd be better if I just slept through finals and wait for my parents to pick me up. Once again, God showed up. This time it wasn't a still small voice. It was a voice so loud it silenced every other voice in my mind and my room. It was a voice so loud, it was felt throughout my entire my body. God reminded me who I am in a voice so loud and with a wind so strong it pushed me out of the bed. God reminded me who I am by quoting 1 Peter 2:9 "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;". I remember this being repeated as tears rolled down my face. Happy to report that I studied and passed my finals.
At age 20, I met God again after my world felt like it was shattered once again. I thought for sure I'd never come back from this. However, I still mustered up the strength to ask God to take the pain away. Once again, God showed up and wrapped His arm around me. I found peace and safety in His arms.
At age 22, I met God again through my loving mother. After feeling stuck and was battling this feeling of overwhelming failure even though I'd graduated with Dual degrees in Immunology & Infectious Diseases and Toxicology. I was convinced that nothing I'd accomplished mattered, so I took it all- every accolade and accomplishment tuck them away under my mattress while I slept on them. I thank God for using my mother pull me out of that dark place and helped me to come back to my senses. If she would've never came into my room, I probably would still be sleeping on some of my greatest accomplishments. Looking back now, that was just the beginning. The enemy wanted to cut me down, before I'd even bloom into the women of excellence - the game changer that I am today.
Once again, at age 34 I met God again. I didn't call for Him. I was just watching TV. This time I was met with a choice. Get in the Ark or stay where I was. I decided to get in Ark and I have no desire to get out. I've devoted my life to Him. I am His and He is mine. I don't care if nobody knows my name. I don't care if I am not wealthy. I don't care if I am persecuted or talked about. I don't care who think I am doing too much. My finally answer to God is "Here I am. Send me. My final answer to God for every assignment is a resounding YES. I've enjoyed meeting God.
As you grow through life, you're going to have to meet God again. As you read His Word, you're going to meet God again. As you commune with God, you're going to meet God agin. I've learned throughout all of this that God is constant, we are not. His character and nature to love us doesn't change, ours does. If you feel stuck and unsure, If you feel lost and hurt, If you feel pain and confusion, If you feel like your life has taken a turn, If you are in transition. If you feel like you want to give up, If the thoughts in your mind are drowning you right now, If you feel like you are overlooked, Whatever you may be facing. At whatever stage you are right now in your life, my prayer today is that you will meet God again.