Being Faithful in the Unknown
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The pandemic was a lot of things for a lot of people: For some, it was a time to reset and refocus, and for others it was a gift of more time; whether that was with loved ones or for training. For myself, the pandemic was a season of waiting in a new chapter of my life.
During the pandemic I had moved to Texas and continued my post collegiate training for the Olympics, filled with expectations of God providing these opportunities for me. This past track season however was one of the most challenging experiences I’ve endured as an athlete, in part due to the burden of having to do everything on my own without the safety net of a University. There was so much uncertainty in meet preparation, practice, and the health of those around me. The only thing that I could do was worry about the things I could control and leave the rest in God’s hands.
This past season taught me that in seasons of waiting, God’s presence will give you the peace and strength you need for Him to take you to another level spiritually. When you experience trials or droughts in the natural, this is often an invitation for an overflow in the spiritual. Though my first post collegiate season wasn’t what I expected, I came to the realization that God was calling me to grow closer to Him, and shortly after I began to study the Word and pray.
Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
As I studied the Word and continued to grow closer to Him, I made an astounding connection within the Bible: David waited 15 years to be king, Moses waited 40 years to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, and Noah built his ark for 120 years (talk about patience!). These great biblical figures all had one key thing in common: they each waited and were transformed through prayer and tests of Faith, holding steadfast to the belief that one day they would be living out those same prayers they persistently were believing in God for.
I couldn’t help but shift the perspective of my current struggles to the work I needed to be doing spiritually. In that span of 3-4 months I knew that what God had for me would require a form of prayer, faith and strength that could only be found in Him. Instead of praying that God would change my situation, I asked God to bring people into my life that knew Him and that would speak life into my endeavors, not death. I prayed for a coach that would not only be consistent but would want God to get the glory before him. I also prayed for new friends in Texas that would inspire and fellowship with me based on how they follow Jesus everyday.
Another important lesson I learned was that being persistent in these prayers also required a higher level of patience, because not all of these blessings happened at once or in the way I envisioned. However, they eventually happened in a way that not just met, but exceeded anything I could have ever imagined! Being faithful in the unknown can be frustrating, however it helps us to take ourselves out of the equation and let God be God. I can write this blog today with the utmost confidence in saying that by being prayerful and faithful in the small things, it allows God to do the big things!!
Shayna Yon
“My name is Shayna Yon and I am a professional track athlete currently living in Frisco, TX.
I have the pleasure of teaching the Gospel to the two children I nanny throughout the week while training for the 2024 Olympics. As a graduate from Louisiana State University (Geaux Tigers) and receiving my Master’s Degree in Healthcare Management from The University of New Orleans, I would love to be able to make a difference within the medical field through my person, spiritual and athletic experiences. In my free time I love to explore new coffee shops and spend time with friends and family.”
