Grace Walks In...

Craig Phillips - When Grace Walks In

You're standing with your list of regrets that you can't get past yourself
You wish so bad that you could make the mark
But your dreams are stuck on a shelf
And all you want to do is turn back time
And redeem the days you lost
But shame keeps calling out your name
The chains refuse to fall

CHORUS:
But it's not over, it's not over
This is the moment that grace walks in
With arms wide open, arms wide open
To tell you this is not the end
When doubt is strong and your will is weak to even believe again
That's when grace, that's when grace walks in

You once believed that you could change the world
With a fire deep in your soul
Your faith was strong and the call was clear
You were sure you could make a new road
Like so many, the flame grew dark
And your confidence hit the wall
There always seems to be a lot of big questions
But the answers seem so small

CHORUS

Just in the nick of time
Right there to save our lives
Grace is greater
Grace is greater




Above, you will see the lyrics of a song that I really enjoy. I think the lyrics are very powerful and are pretty relevant in the journey I have been on these past few years...

When I applied for college, I had NO clue what I was in for. I really wanted to do youth ministry with the long-term vision of running a camp. However, I also wanted to make money and was pretty sure I wouldn't if I went after that degree. Biology and A & P were my favorite subjects in high school and the world of medicine fascinated me. Naturally, I decided to pursue a degree in nursing. I had no clue it was a separate program and that there was a licensing exam after I graduated. A lot of people said they couldn't see me being a nurse and at times, I think that early on, some of my professors weren't sure I'd make it through the program. It was then that I knew I had to do it and be successful...to prove to others and to myself that I was capable. I ended up making it into the nursing honor society and graduated cum laude. I even passed the NCLEX on the first try. Nursing school taught me a lot about myself and about life. It was a good experience and I got to cross paths with a lot of really incredible people, some of whom will be long-time friends.

Though I was (I've been told) a good nurse, I did not enjoy it. My heart was with young people. I wanted to work with youth, but now I was too prideful to change careers. I was embarrassed and afraid of that I would lose friends. I finally came to the realization that those who cared about me would support me following my dreams and those who didn't, well, they can think what they want. Though there were hard times, I am so very thankful for the experience I had as a bedside nurse. I was able to experience raw humanity. To be there for people during some of the most vulnerable times in there life and to walk through that with them. It certainly taught me a lot and I met a lot of amazing people along the way who are still great friends.

That brings me to more recently. I have been working in a health coaching company while I begin my Masters of Youth Ministry Leadership. I am finally taking the first step of faith and following what I feel is my calling in life. Young people have such a negative stereotype associated with them. In turn, they struggle with who they are and what their value is. I wish people focused more on how much young people have to offer and to contribute to society if only they were given a fair chance and some sound guidance. I want to walk with young people on their journey and be someone who has made mistakes, learned from mistakes, and been healed by God's amazing grace. I want this imperfect person that I am to do my best to help young people know the love of Christ. I was blessed to have people walk alongside me during those difficult years and I want to be able to give back.

I have learned so much this quarter about ministry, missions, the life of the poor, and the shortcomings of those who have power in society. Stay tuned for more and please, pray for the youth in your community. You never know how many amazing things God can do through them.