Who is Your Captain?

Through waters uncharted my soul will embark
I'll follow Your voice straight into the dark
And if from the course You intend
I depart
Speak to the sails of my wandering heart

~Captain by Hillsong United

I'm a natural born wanderer. I just can't seem to sit still or stay in one place for very long. I know this pains some people who wish that I would be a more consistent presence in their life, but sadly, that's just not how I'm wired. At the same token, though, I'm not just aimlessly going through life. I plan to some extent, but God typically nudges me in a different direction, which has been pretty obvious during my past four years, but especially in the past four months. Four months ago I had a job. Four months ago I was trying to figure out what job to apply to next. Four months ago I got a text alert about wildfires in Middletown, CA, and took a leap of faith and told my job I was no longer available to work.

Sounds silly and foolish, I know. But disaster relief is one of those things that I feel called to do, even if that means giving up the safety and security of a paycheck. Nowhere else have I felt purpose and the ability to live out the Gospel than when I am serving people who have lost everything. We can't constantly live our lives chasing after the "almighty" dollar. That is the surest way to feel empty inside. For me, God is constantly showing me that it's serving others and the people I come across in life that help provide adventure, fulfillment, and meaning. By allowing God to lead the way, I've lived the most random four months in my entire life, and I don't think I've ever been more thankful for the path that He chose for me.
If it wasn't for that leap of faith back in September, I would never have met friends who have become family, I may not have known about a seasonal position in Charlotte that helped get me through December, and I would have spent Thanksgiving at home in Pennsylvania, rather than in New Mexico like I did. There's also a chance that I may not have had the courage to pack up my room in Charlotte on New Year's eve in order to hit the road for more volunteer work in Texas, which then led me to Missouri for more flood cleanup.
It's really awesome looking back at how God lined everything up for me up until this very moment. If it wasn't for that trip to California, I may not have had the option to head west to visit friends in Colorado after volunteering in Missouri, which could have left me stranded on a highway trying to venture east through this past weekend's epic blizzard. It's a constant reminder that I'm not in charge of my life as much as I'd like to believe that I am. God is the true captain of my life, which is ever apparent to me at this very moment. Today has been the embodiment of Proverbs 16:9, which states, "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." This morning I left one friend's house with the anticipation of spending the next few days with another friend. As I hit the road today, though, my friend informed me that her daughter is currently sick and we'll have to postpone my visit. I opted to not panic, but instead, got a hold of another friend who just so happens to currently live in Colorado, rather than Vermont. She thankfully has room for me to crash tonight, so I don't have to stay forever at the Super Target I'm chilling at right now. Although my initial plans fell apart, God provided another option. I may not understand the reasoning behind it all, but I don't doubt that there is a purpose that might be revealed one day.

Like the stars
Your Word
Will align my voyage
And remind me where I've been
And where I am going
Jesus
My Captain
My soul's trusted Lord
All my allegiance is rightfully Yours 

~Captain by Hillsong United