Different

It is hard to believe I have been here for only two weeks. It is starting to feel like a home. I have spent time getting to know the other Global Bridge (GBers) through these two weeks. There are seven students and one intern. We all live together at the Santiago base of Students International. All of us are so entirely different. Each of us has grown up in such different ways. Not one of us is like each other. It seems like it would be hard to live with such a vast group of people, yet I see one uniting factor: Christ. In Christ, we are united, all different, but united. Our differences are not a bad thing, either. I love that all of us are so different because we love each other for our differences, not despite them.

Each member brings so much to our group that glorifies our Father. It is beautiful to see how God shaped each of us. I know it will not always be easy to live with such contrasting personalities but see that they each are loved and created by the same perfect Father gives me hope. With paths so different, it sometimes feels hard to remember that God works in different ways. With such a reminder, I remember that God is moving and fighting for us. He has plans for us to prosper and not harm us, plans to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). The promise of hope and a future will look different for everyone. God teaches us other lessons and uses us in different ways. His plan for my teammate is not the same as the plan He has for me. His purpose for you is not the same as His purpose for me. But all of His plans are perfect. There is no need to compare yourself to how God is moving in others' lives but look to Him to see how He is moving in and through you. He will be glorified through this. When our eyes are upon Him, our fears leave. Our selfish desires leave. Comparison leaves. So as I go into this new season with so many new people, I look towards God, who provides all I need.

The girls of our group, our leader, and intern.