While living in college you see a great deal of things
going on around you. There are many times where I feel a sense of loneliness
because I do not partake in everything that my friends do. There are times that
I feel a sense of resentment towards myself for always going the “straight and
narrow” instead of “living it up” like everyone else. Have you ever heard the
phrase “the grass is greener on the other side?” (of course you have, it’s one
of those overused cliché’s). Well, like many overused expressions, it is true.
In the Bible God calls us to set ourselves apart from the world; He calls us to
be different from the mainstream life that surrounds us. There are a few verses
that illustrate my point: the obvious choice is Matthew 5:13-16 where Jesus calls
us the “salt of the earth” but another good one comes from 1 Corinthians 15:58
“Therefore my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give
yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in
the Lord is not in vain.” The straight and narrow road can be a lonely one, but
is any other path really worth it? It all boils down to the difference between
pleasure and joy. Sure pushing the little guy around makes you feel good, or
cheating on the test to get a good grade helps you out, but does it really
satisfy you? Does doing bad (for the lack of a better word) really fill you up,
or is it more like a cookie that tides you over but never actually fills you
up? It is tough to do the right thing, but I firmly believe that it is worth
it. To forgo all the options around us to live a godly life means sacrificing a
lot of missed opportunities but the alternative (to live sinfully and forgo a
life with God) is unbearable and unfulfilling. I used to live a life without
God, when He pulled me from the gutter I was eternally grateful. Then the devil
took my faith and replaced it with doubt, since then I can’t imagine what it
would be like to sink down to the depths of a godless life. Sure In resent my compulsion
to always do the right thing, sure I miss out on a lot. One thing I do have
though is the ability to go to bed every night and know that I gave it my best
every day.
2 comments:
Stand strong! There is always a lot going on around us- college or not- that seems like fun/a good idea/worth it now. And there often does seem to be tangible rewards for people who pursue those, but you are right, it's not worth it in the end because we are all here for the long haul (eternity).
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven..." (Matthew 6:19-20)
Good luck- you've got more support than any of us can fathom.
T
you are so right about the struggle and even the resentment we feel when we battle against the desires we have, but as you said there is a huge difference between pleasure and joy.
love dad
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