Just a year ago I made a personal declaration statement at one of my area’s Leaders Assemblies.
At that particular leaders assembly many people from my household were not present because they were attending the 24th YFC international conference in the Philippines. I distinctly remember feeling so sad that I was not able to attend and be there with my friends to experience God along thousands of YFC members all around the world. I felt like I was missing out on something so good and to top it all off, I had a huge case of FOMO.
Despite feeling this way, I knew in my heart that it was not the right time for me to go. At the time I was still in school getting ready to write my 3rd year exams; I was not financially stable as I did not save any money to travel to the Philippines, and my heart was not in the right state at that moment.
AIlthough I really wanted to go I felt God whispering in my heart: “Not yet, my love.”
This was definitely not easy for me to accept but I knew I had to listen His voice and to be obedient to His words.
After the assembly, my friends (the ones who also were not able to go) and I turned to each other and declared that “next year, we ARE going to ICON.”
I didn’t think much after I made that statement but I told myself that with God’s grace, I was going to make it happen no matter how difficult the process was going to be.
Fast forward to a year later, here I am sitting in my uncle’s car on the way to the 25th YFC international conference. I can’t believe that I am actually able to write those words out in this post because it’s still all so surreal to me. Just a year ago this was all a dream, a wish, a prayer to God.
It hasn’t fully hit me yet but since being here all I can think about is just how good God has been to me leading up to this moment.
When I declared that I would be going to ICON last year I did not realize how fruitful of a journey this would be.
Of course, the preparations of coming here was not always easy ( I had to work 6-7 days a week during my Christmas break, I had to fast track my studies to ensure that I would graduate on time, and I had to sacrifice attending some events back home so I could come here) but I can’t complain because God has never left my side, in fact He has carried me through the entire journey.
Since I’ve been here I have been so amazed at how great God is.
I know now that it was the right decision to wait and to continue to lift up my desires of going to ICON to Him.
Now, a year later, I can truthfully say that I am at peace with this decision and that I am in a state where I am able to fully accept God and His love for me more lovingly and faithfully.
I cannot wait to join the other international and local delegates in just a few hours. Praise God for this opportunity to be able to attend ICON and to visit my first home with some of my close friends.
God you are so good.
God you are so great.
God you provide.
May I continue to bring You the glory you deserve this weekend. May Your name be lifted high forever and ever!
Amen.
Danielle M. Lape