By the time Lillian Hydeen was in fourth grade, she had her life planned out. She was going to be a teacher. She would live close to her family and be surrounded by faithful friends well into adulthood. All of these things were good, and they made Lillian feel secure and confident. She was ready for the future! What Lillian didn't plan for was change. Plans change, and so do people. That's life. But for Lillian, it felt like the end of the world. She wondered, “How could this be? What now?”
What happens when you thought you knew the plan, but God was asking you to change it? How do you feel secure when you have no idea what's next? What felt like a door slammed shut and locked forever was about to be opened—and replaced with a far more glorious and freeing perspective for Lillian.
“It was like a quarter life crisis,”
Lillian described that moment during her senior year of high school.
“I had known I would be a teacher. I was in an education class three weeks before graduation. I knew the Lord was telling me not to go teach. I panicked. I also had some friendships that tested my worth. It took a lot to be able to depend on God and his truths about me. I wrestled with unworthiness and being unwanted because it felt like what the Lord was asking me not to do is what I wanted. It felt like a long season of the unknown when I went to college that fall. I had to figure out what the truths to hold on and lean fully on the Lord for that. I was beginning to understand that it’s okay. I had no idea what was next, but I fully believed that he had the right plan for me.”
That first year of college, Lillian got to learn and re-learn who she was. The best part? God was there, faithfully showing her that she didn't have to have it all figured out and surrounding her with people who would walk alongside her. Lillian began to tangibly see that the possibilities were endless. She saw doors open to new paths that led to ministry and began to understand more of her strengths, gifts, and how God could use them.
“It’s a beautiful thing to explore your gifts,” Lillian shared. “I got to sit and ask myself “How can I glorify God with what He has given me?” How can I glorify Him in my work and school and then be willing at every step of the way to worship Him?” Not every path provides the right answer. The possibilities are endless but it’s the Lord that closes doors. I just need to be willing to take a risk and trust him. To walk through the doors. My mistakes will not outweigh his will and his glory. I just need to trust Him.”
Early in her college courses, God opened a door, and the path became clear: Lillian wanted to work in student ministry. How fitting that the place where she once had so many questions about her identity and future would become the place where God would use her to help others. She knew firsthand what it was like to need answers and community, and now God was giving her the opportunity to walk alongside students in the same season of life. Lillian explained,
“People think I am crazy that middle school is my jam, and I know now that it is comfortable with being uncomfortable. They are figuring out who they are. Their personalities are growing. I see that adult in them. I step into their awkward world, and we get to see the fun together.”
On July 15th Lillian started as a resident with the West Student Ministry team. Citylight Students exists to disciple students to know Jesus, grow in Him, and go out to share the good news. Already, Lillian has begun connecting with students and families, most recently at summer camp just a few weeks ago. She shared a little bit about what student ministry at Citylight has meant to her:
“The beauty of serving in Student Ministry is we get to teach kids about Jesus and in a way they can grasp. We talk about how you can explain Jesus to their generation and with application. One of the things we are teaching is the great commission and how that applies to students today. We take something from every story in the Bible and apply it to their context. It’s fun! We are not here to check a box off in ministry but instead to do life with students.”
Fall launch for Students was August 12th at Midtown and August 26th at West. Lillian is excited. After serving a few years at Youth for Christ, she looks forward to learning a new form of ministry, to be developed as a leader and to learn and serve alongside students and their parents at Citylight. Lillian concluded with these words of encouragement to students:
“Four and half years ago I learned how to get comfortable with being uncomfortable by walking in faith through doors God opened. I’ve learned to trust God’s plan and that it is always good. It’s carried me through and will continue. He will for you too. There is so much beauty in sitting with the Lord and having him reveal and see where he calls you. Don’t be scared of the unknown and in not making the right choice. I was so locked in with that 4th grade dream that the thought of not doing that was terrifying. I was so scared and didn’t know how to let go of that. Now, I encourage students to sit in God’s presence ... Stop and listen and sit in silence."
"This season of life is so fast and then you look for what’s next after graduation. Don’t tune out God but sit with him. He opens doors.”
Join Student Ministry at Citylight >>> citylightomaha.org/students
