Last day of class

Today was my last day of class for this semester. For that matter it was my last day as a junior (assuming I pass all my finals this week). It's just another milestone in God's ultimate plan in my life. That plan started being reveled to me in it's simplest form when I was in tenth or eleventh grade. Thats when I felt God's call on my life to be a pastor. From there I didn't really know what to do. I talked to a lot of people but it was something I wanted to be 100% sure about. I kept that on the down low for some years while I prayed and got people to pray for me about it. Deep down my own personal desire to be a teacher/coach was still what I was pressing to the fore front. When it was time for me to decided what college I wanted to go to I ultimately chose Troy so I could keep my options open. I felt like, at the time, that this decision may not have been what God wanted for my life but God was quick to assure me that I was right where he wanted me. (I need to back track) toward the end of my senior year I was completely sure of God's call on my life to be a pastor. But I often wondered, "if God wants me to be a pastor, why am I wasting my time here at Troy?" Thats when God sent his assurance by blessing me with a full tuition scholarship out of nowhere. There were three people in front of me for the job of sports editor and they all three ended up leaving for some reason or another which left me there to take it. To some, even me sometimes, it seemed like a huge coincidence. But I know God used that to assure me that I needed to be here for some of my life.

With people still praying for me often about where exactly God wanted me after Troy many doors opened up. I wanted to go to seminary at Lakeview Baptist Church in Auburn but they only take a class once every three years and I wasn't due to graduate until the next spring. So what did I do? I challenged God (He can do some pretty amazing things). I told God that I felt like He wanted me to be at Lakeview but I wasn't supposed to graduate in time. I put it in God's hands and promised Him I would work as hard as I could and that if He wanted me there then I would go through every door He opened. You know sometimes people say be careful what you wish for? Oh yeah! Last summer I took 12 hours worth of class. This semester I took 18 hours. Then I reached another hurtle (to me it was a hurtle, to God just another way to show me his power). In order to graduate in time I would need to take 19 hours next semester, the 'hurtle' was that you're not allowed to take more than 18 if your GPA is below 3.5. Mine is a 3.1. So I did what I promised God I would, I met with a department chair, a dean and a provost to get approval for the extra hour. And God let me take overtime even though it seemed like they would say no. (just a funny side note) My department chair said, "you'll have to talk to the dean about that. But let me warn you, shes a tough cookie to crack. You'll be lucky if she lets you" well I don't go by luck, I go by faith. So now i'm on track to start my senior year in January and graduate in July. Just in time to start seminary in August. There is still a lot that has to work out just right for me to be able to start that particular seminar but God has already opened so many doors I don't expect him to stop now. Even if things don't work out. Even if when the summer comes and some how I can't do an internship and take 7 hours to graduate on time, so what? I will still praise God because He is worthy. He's not worthy because He makes things work out for me, He's worth because He is my Creator, my Lord the author and finisher of my faith.

He is worth because "while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me" -Romans 5:8. I will praise God because I've seen with my own eyes His works.

[14] I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well.

(Psalm 139:14 ESV)

Well this was supposed to be about my last day of this semester but it turned into so much more than that. I'm so thankful for all God has done for me and for what He will do. I hope this can encourage you, and help you see what God is doing in your life.

Please keep praying for me, as I said, there is still a long road before I can get to Auburn but if God wants me there then that's where I'll be.

Counting all things loss,

Timothy Mathis