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Posted At: 9:02pm by Rachel Engebretson
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I went to college feeling as though I might learn something. I wasn’t disappointed, for I learned a lot of things.
I could probably sit for an hour and write out off the top of my head as many things I can remember learning. I’d probably have a list somewhat comprised of formulas, graphs, and theories. I might even have a couple life lessons thrown in, such as, Ramen noodles make you really, really thirsty.
However, most of the things I’ve learned can’t be remembered off the top of my head. They’re probably so engrained into me that I just act as a result of the things I’ve learned without even thinking twice.
Here’s a random fact about me: I don’t enjoy crowds. They make me feel trapped, lost, and small. How is it that sometimes, when standing in the middle of a crowd with hundreds of other people, it can feel very lonely? The planet might be one spherical crowd. After all, billions of people live on it. Even so, it’s still possible to feel very much alone.
Also, am I the only one who thinks all people look alike after awhile? It’s as if there are about 50 different varieties of people, and everyone falls somewhere in between. You can pass some random guy on the street and somehow connect something about his appearance to someone you’ve known before.
One of the things I learned is doing the right thing isn’t very common. If you do the right thing, or at least attempt to the majority of the time, most people will go their own ways. I was under the assumption if you were nice to people, people will be nice back. Sometimes this occurs, but not always.
I left high school with a diploma and a smile. As much as I was excited to go to college, I was even more relieved. Somehow, in my construed thinking, I believed that finally, I could sit down and study for my career goal, and a load of stress would be lifted off my shoulders. Yeah, right! Sure, my high school stress factors were gone, and they were plentiful, but now I had a completely new set of stress factors. Also, another dimension of stress was thrown in; I was alone. I knew I had to face these new challenges head-on and by myself, and it was frightening.
If someone can develop the cure for stress, he or she would be my hero. If life was as simple as taking a happy pill, wouldn’t a lot more become accomplished in society? Sadly, neither is the case. We live in a world crowded with sin, and sometimes being Christian on a secular campus can make it seem as though you’re very much alone.
I’m sure many others have had to deal with some aspect of this by attending college; it is, by far, certainly not uncommon. It’s a complicated soup of young people staggering around like newborn horses learning how to live on their own (How’s that for a simile?). They fall a lot.
Thankfully, though, it’s not all despair, unless you’re walking around the cafeteria looking for real food. Those in faith have the clearest hope of all - eternal life in the unconditional love and mercy of Christ. No matter what happens, and believe me, a lot of crazy things will happen, your faith in Christ will always be the rock that sustains you. For this reason, struggles may be the very thing that strengthens your faith. You may be caught in a situation where you want out really bad, whatever it is, but even so - you know that Christ will be there for you through it all. The situation will probably be a reminder to you that this is definitely the case. If it brings you to prayer, the situation couldn’t have been completely terrible. It resulted in a conversation with your Lord.
My parents and friends told me when I left for college that if I needed to talk, they were always just a phone call away. I took advantage of this often, and they were very eager to help. Sometimes, though, Mom and Dad were busy, and couldn’t get to the phone. God, however, is never too busy to answer you. No matter what bricks life throws at your face (and hopefully your face will never be pummeled with bricks), Christ offers his love, strength, and forgiveness. You are his child. He paid for you and calls you one of his own. You died and rose with him through the waters of Holy Baptism. He gives you his very flesh and blood for forgiveness through the Lord’s Supper. He pours all of these unto you unconditionally and without payment, simply because you are righteous through his Son. What a glorious truth!
If you are entering college, do not let what you have read scare you. This is just a slice of life. That also was not meant to scare you. What should encourage you is that while we are all given a different taste of sinful burden, our faith in Christ is what sustains us and keeps us alive - literally forever.
I hope that all of you have had a joyous and blessed Christmas. I look forward to the year to come; may God be with us!
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Posted On: December 27th, 2007 at 8:41am by luvable lutheran |
"If someone can develop the cure for stress, he or she would be my hero."
The key is to "cast your burdens on Chrit, for he cares for you." Realize what you have control over and what you need to sit back and let go and pray it goes accordining to God's Will. In tough situations, pray for an "out," as God always gives you one, even if they aren't easy to see.
The world may unravel before you, but remember it's never as bad as what Christ endured on the cross for you and for me. Remember how much He loves us as you highlighted above.
Yes, college and life can have some challenges, but the rewards are so much better and worth it in the end. You'll discover much about yourself and others that you didn't even imagine you could know. Great post!
May God grant you a blessed semester break and continue to bring you blessings throughout your college career!
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