By Lucas Anders
Class of 2023
The Charlotte Fellows Program has brought me more than I could’ve imagined. Each week is busy and full of engagement, challenges, and new experiences. I wouldn’t have it any other way. It would be hard for me to see one of our weekly commitments taken off the schedule. I would be less busy, sure. But I would miss out on many of the opportunities and growth that is taking place.
One of the things that we often think about during busy seasons, and really any season, is what’s next? What will life look like after this chapter is over? This was something that I remember fixating on this time last year with my friends. But, I confess that I have given this a good amount of thought in every season of my life.
My natural inclination is to worry about all the things that I cannot control, particularly the future. Life has turned out completely different from what I envisioned it would be five - or even one year ago. But God has shown me a beauty in the unknown, as I see how His plans, protection, and timing have been far better than any course that I could’ve charted for myself during those times.
I’m sure those of us who had the privilege of hearing Dr. Bobo speak at the National Fellows Conference earlier this year can remember the illustration of our plans versus God’s plan. Our plan is illustrated as a straight line from point A to B, whereas God’s plan is a line that takes many peaks and troughs and doesn’t seem to have a very defined trajectory. I would love to have a clearly defined trajectory, and I would venture to say that everyone would. But if our lives had a clearly defined trajectory, then would we ever have faith? Would we ever trust that God loves us and plans to give us a hope and a future if the entire roadmap of our lives unfolded right before us?
In the days leading up to my move to Charlotte prior to the start of the Fellows Program, I remember feeling a sense of anxiety about what I was leaving behind along with fear in the unknown lying ahead. Despite my fear, the Lord has continued to show me that there is so much joy and adventure in embracing the unknowns in life. We are never going to have the full map of our lives, but God just wants us to trust him in taking the next step of faith.
I feel blessed beyond measure that my next step would lead me to a community that teaches, challenges, and intentionally pours into every area of my life. And… the best is yet to come!