Submitted by cfnteam on Tue, 12/13/2011 - 06:16
I know most of us are done with finals, but for those of us still treading through it, I completely understand how daunting and dreadful those can be. Whether it be the effect of the impact on your GPA, or figuring out your career path through job searches, or dealing with relationships around you, sometimes it can be altogether too much. At least on my part, in times like these I might wake up with the overwhelming feeling that I’ve made some unwise decisions: school, career, and relationships. And in times like these the most dangerous and unforgiving feeling is when I feel like I might be missing out on more of what life offers, as a result of my faith. Once you start being disconnected from other church youth, and stop being surrounded by members week after week, it gets easy to take a step back and consider perhaps…missing services for the sake of studying harder… going out on Friday nights to places you shouldn’t be going… picking career choices and other life decisions that you know will not be beneficial to your faith.
Recently these feelings occurred to me, but God turned them around and encouraged me in a really simple, worthwhile way. It’s a verse we all know by heart: (Phil 1:21) “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain”. That very day, the speaker’s sermon topic was about this verse, and I realized that I was forgetting how to live a purposeful life--a life that was dedicated to God. I had forgotten the most important thing in life, and it does not revolve around what grades you get, what you do, or the people you’re with. It all depends on whether or not at the end of your life, God is happy with the choices you’ve made. It depends on whether or not you have accomplished what He set out for you to do.
When it seems easier to just pursue your own path, without asking God what path He would like you to follow, I remind myself with another powerful verse: “Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.” (Eccl 11:9). When life gets tough, when you’re faced with difficult decisions regarding life and pursuits, the Bible does not tell us that it’s wrong to follow our dreams. We should do everything that we want to do in life, with one very special condition: that it follow the path of righteousness, for we know God will bring judgment at the end.
So for those of us feeling disconnected, or discouraged, I am sure you’re not alone. In the hard times of faith, remember that the most satisfying feeling of all doesn’t come from your physical accomplishments--it comes from knowing that you’ve led a life that pleases God.
Questions for reflection:
Are there any pursuits in life you place in higher priority than serving God? If so, how can you correct your priorities?
Do you ever see fellow church members struggling to come to church because of other priorities? How can you gently help bring them back?
Recently these feelings occurred to me, but God turned them around and encouraged me in a really simple, worthwhile way. It’s a verse we all know by heart: (Phil 1:21) “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain”. That very day, the speaker’s sermon topic was about this verse, and I realized that I was forgetting how to live a purposeful life--a life that was dedicated to God. I had forgotten the most important thing in life, and it does not revolve around what grades you get, what you do, or the people you’re with. It all depends on whether or not at the end of your life, God is happy with the choices you’ve made. It depends on whether or not you have accomplished what He set out for you to do.
When it seems easier to just pursue your own path, without asking God what path He would like you to follow, I remind myself with another powerful verse: “Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.” (Eccl 11:9). When life gets tough, when you’re faced with difficult decisions regarding life and pursuits, the Bible does not tell us that it’s wrong to follow our dreams. We should do everything that we want to do in life, with one very special condition: that it follow the path of righteousness, for we know God will bring judgment at the end.
So for those of us feeling disconnected, or discouraged, I am sure you’re not alone. In the hard times of faith, remember that the most satisfying feeling of all doesn’t come from your physical accomplishments--it comes from knowing that you’ve led a life that pleases God.
Questions for reflection:
Are there any pursuits in life you place in higher priority than serving God? If so, how can you correct your priorities?
Do you ever see fellow church members struggling to come to church because of other priorities? How can you gently help bring them back?