Through the Rearview Mirror

written by Emily Dao

"God does far more behind our backs than He does in front of our faces." These are the words that our director, Tripp Graziano, has recited verbatim on numerous occasions throughout the program. And they have surely proven to be true in several areas of our lives thus far this year. I have been confounded by many unpredictable experiences, yet have come to see God's sovereignty at play and often times, after the fact.

As our recent business seminar speaker, Pearce Landry, puts it, "God's providential hand is often seen through the rearview mirror." I stepped into this year with many preconceived notions of how the program would and should be for all of us. I am now starting to pick up on the reality that God will certainly flip many of your expectations at one point or another. His will can be mystifying at times, but it's always the perfect plan.

From a personal standpoint, I expected this year to be focused intensely upon professional development and that I would learn to apply Christian ethics in the marketplace. In principle, the program has fulfilled this expectation, but I find myself recognizing this aspect as a peripheral matter. In my playbook, I would have identified the professional development piece as the core purpose of this program. But my assignments for this year pale in importance to the lessons that God had planned for me.

As I look through the rearview mirror and search for one key thing that God has been teaching me since the early moments of this journey, I hear the voice of our pastor, Alan Hawkins: "God cares way more about who you are, than what you do." Character development has been one of the most unexpected, but yet most invaluable focuses of this year. I find myself flipped over and challenged towards conforming my character to Christ and discovering my worth in Him, rather than stacking up confidence in the things I can do--especially in the professional realm.

A by-product of my initial tunnel vision in seeing professional development as the primary purpose of this year, I did not expect the significance of our communal commitments in the program. I have gained life-long friendships, where I can trust that my best friends from this program will consistently speak loving truth and encouragement into my life. People like them are rare to find in most environments.

Another rearview mirror surprise would be the fact that I only intended to be in North Carolina for one year and have now discovered that God has opened the door for me to stay an additional three years for graduate school. I would never have consider this future for myself if God had not led me directly into it.

It's amazing to see God's goodness and perfect will worked out for my good and the good of my peers in the program. "God does far more behind our backs than He does in front of our faces." As I look towards life after the Fellows Program, I have a greater sense of assurance that God has it all figured out and His perfect will shall prevail, revealing nothing but good purpose.

Thank you for your prayers and support thus far this year. I hope that you will join us in looking through the rearview mirror and celebrating the many ways that God has moved in the lives of His people. He is good.