"This is the way; walk in it"

Dear Friends and Family-
It is hard to believe that I will be leaving in just a week or so to go to Wheaton! Many of you have encouraged and blessed me here in Chapel Hill and I am sad to think about going, yet at the same time, excited about what the Lord has in store for me. I was encouraged and challenged today by these words from Isaiah 30:

Isaiah 30

Woe to the Obstinate Nation

1 "Woe to the obstinate children,"
declares the LORD,
"to those who carry out plans that are not mine,
forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit,
heaping sin upon sin;

2 who go down to Egypt
without consulting me;
who look for help to Pharaoh's protection,
to Egypt's shade for refuge.

How many times am I like the unfaithful and untrusting Israelites? Yet, it does not stop there. It is hard for me to sumarize all the things that Lord says, yet the verse that spoke to me the most today was...

21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

I feel like in so many ways, God has made it clear about my decision to go to Wheaton and this verse gave me comfort, that even on those days when I doubt my decision or feel more than ever lost and undirected, the Lord is there to guide me. I must remember who is in the boat with me and not loose faith, for the Lord protects those that he loves! (Mark 4:35-40)

Even in these last few days I feel like I have learned so much about trusting the Lord, and I am so excited about the new struggles and challenges that lie ahead. Today is the day to equip myself with the word of God so that I can fight the good fight with HIS sword in my hand.
More to come soon!
Annie