SET APART a Web Novel

ABRIELLE

“Abrielle, guess what? Jeremiah and his friends are planning to visit the Cornelius Lounge on Saturday night,” Eun-yeong explained excitedly. “Wait, how did you find out about it?” I asked in surprise. Eun-yeong mentioned that one of Jeremiah’s friends is a mutual friend of hers. 

“Don’t worry, Abrielle. I’ll talk to Jeremiah if I get the chance,” she assured me. “What do you want me to ask him?” she inquired with curiosity.

A moment of silence settled between us. There were so many things I wanted to know about Jeremiah that it felt overwhelming. But the main question on my mind was whether I could be friends with him. I worried that asking this might reveal my feelings for him, and I didn’t want to be too obvious. 

“Hello?” Eun-yeong waved her hand in front of my face. “I’m sorry, Eun-yeong,” I replied, still distracted. “I’m just trying to think of questions to ask Jeremiah.” I felt confused.

I asked Eun-Yeong to chat with Jeremiah about what she thought would be the best questions to ask. I felt nervous about it because I worried she might exaggerate her questions. “Are you sure you want me to ask Jeremiah anything? Well, okay, it’s up to me!” Eun-Yeong said, sounding confident. “Yes!” I replied with a smile.

After we finished our chat, I found myself lost in thought while looking at my cup of coffee. I took a sip, but it had gone cold. We left the area and started walking toward the gate. My heart raced at the thought of Eun-Yeong talking to Jeremiah on Saturday. My mind swirled with various scenarios—it was easy to start overthinking things.

As we strolled past the big glass windows of the airport, I noticed the sun was beginning to set, casting a beautiful glow as day turned to night. This reminded me of Mama Selam, and I felt a wave of nostalgia. I really missed her! Even though it hurt to think about her being gone, I knew she was free from pain now. I kept gazing at the horizon and spotted some migratory birds soaring through the sky, almost like they were welcoming the sunset. I let out a soft sigh and took a moment to talk with Jesus.

As I walked to our assigned gate, a Bible verse came to mind: John 14:27, which says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.” Many things have been weighing on my heart, but Jesus assures us that He will provide perfect peace from above.

This world offers a lot of counterfeit peace that does not come from God. The peace that comes from worldly pursuits brings no real satisfaction. You may acquire money and experience temporary satisfaction, but it does not bring true peace. You may gain the fame you’ve always longed for, and your name may become known, but where is the peace when you feel tired and an emptiness lingers?

You can gain the whole world and yet still lack peace, and worse, you may end up losing your soul. If we allow worries to fill our minds, we risk overthinking things. This is not what Jesus teaches us. Instead, we should surrender everything to Him and trust that God will answer all our questions in His perfect time.

By putting on the new spiritual self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its Creator, anxiety, over-scrutinizing, and falling into Satan’s traps have no power in Jesus! (John 14:30). He has set aside all these burdens and completely removed them by nailing them to the cross (Colossians 2:14b). A habitual walk with Jesus will help strip away the many things that worry you. Let the word of Jesus find a home in your mind and heart (Colossians 3:16). 

I’ve noticed a subtle smile on my face, and I remind myself that when anxiety tries to take over, I should praise God instead. I can do this by singing Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in my heart to God (Colossians 3:16b). This way, the enemy has no power over me because Jesus dwells in my heart, mind, and soul. Jesus is my home.