Purpose - Direction - Faith

A single thing worth fighting for

Monday, April 6, 2009

Closing the door on Boston

For the past few weeks I've had to deliberate and struggle through one of the more difficult decisions in my life. I have been given the unique chance to pursue a PhD program in Engineering at the University of Northeastern in Boston. Not only given the chance - but to actually be paid to do it, ultimately leaving Boston in six years with no loans and a PhD in structural engineering under my belt.

Struggling with this decision might be an understatement.

I consulted friends, family, mentors, myself, and God. For the longest time I really had no idea what choice I would make. I knew God would provide and take care of me either way. I couldn't feel his hand guiding me in particular direction. So I take this decision as a matter of faith.

Faith in my future, in my career, more importantly to the character Christ is developing within me.

The lord has given me a gift with science, I know this. I've been given a degree in physics, the chance to work for NASA, and now a full ride for a PhD in engineering. All paths that would lead to a stable and prosperous future. Financially life would be alright.

But I have grown up with my mother. A teacher. She has been and done so much for me, and I have turned out alright. I guess what I'm trying to say is I don't want that security. I want my life to be about faith. Trust. Choice. Love. Freedom. I want to live for Christ without anything else in the way.

Looking through this lens. I realized engineering was only on the table because I needed to stabilize my future, to prepare myself for it. No. I want to live in the moment, in faith and trust. I will look to the future, but never with my priorities before the lords.

This weekend gave me so much about why I am happy in Seattle. Why I love it here. Why I am not ready to leave, not just yet. In the very least I would be drawn away from it for anything less than what God has given me through passion. Engineering was not it.

I am in love with Jesus, and look forward to this moment, the next, and the one in which he reveals the next step, the next choice, the next path, the next part - to my amazing journey of faith and trust.

I will be enacting that journey here in Seattle. Or until God moves my passion for Him in another direction -

thank you :)