Three days...

"Far be it from me to not believe, even when my eyes can't see. And this mountain that's in front of me, will be thrown into the midst of the sea. Through it all, it is well, my eyes are on You, Lord." 

It is well with me" (It is Well - Bethel Music)

Three regionals semi-final round medals would seem to symbolize three consecutive years of just missing Nationals... But to really, they symbolize something greater, a work that God has done. 

Competitions often disappointed a lot of people and surprised others, but God is still sovereign. So often people, myself included, become angry, depressed and self absorbed after disappointment. You see, disappointment is fine, it is a natural emotional reaction, but it becomes a stumbling block when we let that overtake us, and 

I found myself extremely disappointed, but yet EXTREMELY joyful. It was not my joy, but a peace that passed anything that I could understand. As Philippians 4:7 says,  "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

To all of you people who went to regionals or another competition, remember, It is not the ballot that tells your persuasiveness. It is not a placing that determines your skill. It is not how many times you cross the stage, or even the moment at which you are called up that displays your ability to communicate. Only the people your speeches have touched can testify to your ability to speak truth. Only those who have felt your encouragement can understand your ability to speak into someone's life. Only those who have seen you joyful in the midst of your disappointments can testify to the true impact of your communication. 

God open doors for us and he closes them. God knows what is best for the rest of your life... he has is under control. 

God says, [After your trials] "I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you. For I know the plans that I have for you, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, and I will restore your fortunes." - Jeremiah 29:10-14

"Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you." - John 16:22

My tournament verses were Psalm 95: 6-8 and God Taught me to do this in a new way. 

"Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before our Maker, for he is our God, and we are the people of His pastures and the work of His hands. Today, if you would hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."

So today, if you hear His voice, even in the midst of disappointment, and confusion, do not harden your hearts, because some times God uses Three years of competition, 40 years of wondering, three days in the tomb, or 40 days of testing, before he revealed His promise. But remember that the