As a college student, the years we devote to our education seem to follow a certain pattern. The fall semester rolls around and anticipation fills the air, students excited to get back to their respective college to see friends and share stories of their three months away. The first few weeks are complete with new classes, coupled with a fresh perspctive brought on by whatever your summer may have held. Not too many tests, football and a whole lot of energy. Then, after a few weeks, the rush of new beginnings seems to fade, and we find ourselves chipping away at our daily schedules with a sense of purpose and importance. We settle in to our routines, and begin to crank out classes, organizational involvement, and late night study sessions for tests like seasoned pros. We put our heads down and just move at an insane pace most of the time, looking to each weekend for relief from the onset of chaos. So it's official, we are in the grind. It is here that time seems to simply disappear. As we fix our sights on our goals and responsibilities, the weeks just vanish. It is almost November, and as I sit here under a beautiful October night, the weather is beginning to show signs of fall, and life is seems to be so fast and furious, yet so fragile in this moment.
If you are like me, it is easy to simply think about what is required to jump over the bar. What must I do in order to succeed in my endeavors? Yet as I enjoy the first opportunity to post on this in some time now, I am forced to look beyond what is required to fulfill my goals, and I am confronted with reality. Tears are drawn to my eyes because so often I forget that the days I have are only what has been given, and the time I spend here is both precious and gracious. Sure, there is purpose in our days. There is productivity and accomplishment. Be it acing a test, exercising, or brightening someone's day, we all fill our days with stuff. But how often do we echo the sentiments of King David in Psalm 3 when he said "I laid down to sleep, and I awoke again, for the Lord sustained me"? As he was being pursued by his enemies, David understood that the sun rising on a his still living body should only be credited to the One who fine tuned this place. Overcome with gratefulness, joy, and grace it is realities such as this that cause the mighty king to break out in dance, invite the cripple to eat at his side, and compose some of the most intimate, and moving poetry ever-recorded. Yet so often we trade this beautiful truth in for a cheap to do list, limit the thoughts of our God to time built into our schedules, and we set our minds and energy in pursuing the many banners of this world. The greatest commandment is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind." Yet too often my life looks as though I exchange 'the Lord you God' with 'anything and everything that makes me successful'
As we grind, life accelerates, and if we aren't careful, the beauty of our Savior and the blessing of simply existing in His presence may be replaced with christian performance. We have our quiet times and serve others as if we are meetings a quota. Christ then simply becomes part of the picture instead of the entire painting. Our God conquered death so that He may have dominion over our time, our lives, and our goals, yet we try and reduce Him out of the equation by controlling Him via numerous activities and schedules. He cannot be contained nor controlled, yet fear grips us to pursue aspirations at a break-necking pace in hopes that our Mighty God does not call us to abandon all we know and seek His face in a distant place or position. Yet as I look throughout history and the bible, no believer of any memorable impact bound himself to the confines of 'the daily grind.' Existing rather than living. My hope and prayer is that I will leave it to god to guide and direct my steps, not my iCalendar. May we free ourselves from the chains of busyness, in order to free our minds and hearts to seek the heart of God. I went to sleep and awoke again...
