a long way up.

its graduation season again. different people filling the same gowns. many souls who've made it through the school of late nights and rigorous assessments. to be esteemed as graduates, straining to take their place in society - some already have, with supposedly bright futures ready to be written. 

or at least thats how the world sees it. 

i am a one-year-old graduate. and seriously, what a year. 

nothing has been spared. somehow, at one point or another and with varying intensities, my life has been uprooted. a statement like that seems too melodramatic, but how else do i describe something like this?

in a worldly sense, i havent really gotten anywhere. 

but God is good, nonetheless. He is so so good - so faithful, so patient and so redeeming. "Thy Redeemer."   - that was a devotional done one of the mornings this year. Just 2 words, but what encouragement! when the failures add up, when skills fall short, when my heart takes flight, those two words return to soothe this weary, agitated and hurt soul. 

i'm sure there's a whole lot more that i could have learnt, and there is still an immensely vast space i need to cover. but with so little, and with so many I's, me's, my's.... i really wonder how i'll ever be ready to graduate from God's school, to take my place in His kingdom, do my part of His will, and bless and love the people who mean so much to Him. 

Its a long way up.

I was reminded of this from the Mzanzsi conference with greatergrace and its something I will hold tightly on to in this season of learning: The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it. 1 Thess 5:24.