The following reflection is one of the last entries that Shawn wrote in her journal and is an amazing testimony of her faith.  I hope you are blessed by it.

                                                        "KNOW WHO YOU BELONG TO" 

We live in a generation and culture that feeds on the strength of being individual.  The more obscure or offensive; the more celebrated.  Everyone wants special treatment and wants to stand out.  I'm not condemning the notion of standing out.  Yet in my limited years, I have found that there is only value in standing up/out for what matters.  I have found that the only thing that truly matters is knowing who you belong to.  When you know and can surrender to Jesus, it is the only thing that matters.

We spend so much time floundering about!  Who am I?  Who does God want me to be?  Where does God want me to serve?  Who does God want me to marry?  Where shall I work?  And the questions grow and linger on.

I have found this truth to be the most liberating --- If you know Who you belong to, the other questions lose weight.  I settle into the knowing that I belong to Jesus.  Full stop: I belong to Jesus.

In belonging to Jesus, all those questions and concerns become secondary.  If we live to honor Jesus - you can bet He will guide / nudge us to the places / relationships .. that are part of your story.

It comes down to knowing you belong to Jesus and leaning into His heart - His lead.  Jesus wants your success more than you do.

All other questions become non-questions, in my experience.  The other questions have a way of fading into the background.  If I belong to Jesus: my future is secure, my needs are in His hands.  My failures are only stepping stones that lead me toward His heart.

If you can learn to lean into Jesus, you will see your struggles cease to a degree - because leaning into Jesus allows Him to fight those battles for you.  It will allow Him space to fill your heart and your spirit with His love.  A literal "resting" upon you.

Naturally, questions about life will surface and you will wrestle with some big things.  My encouragement to you is to remember Who you belong to - fall into His outstretched arms and let Him hold you and lead you. 

If you belong to Jesus - you will belong where it's important.  If Jesus isn't a part of it, you don't belong there anyway!