Back to School

I don't know about you but my first week of college was one of the most memorable times in my life.

The smell of fresh cut grass. (Campuses usually do a last minute sprucing up before all the new students arrive in the Fall so the parents can feel 100% convinced that this particular college was the right decision. Fresh cut grass is one of those magical smells that does something to people's judgement)

The smiles on every new freshman face (Define awkward. "please talk to me. please talk to me. please talk to me. please talk to me.")

The feeling of freedom laying there in your dorm on that first night (this feeling is usually a combination of no air conditioning, super heated flannel bed sheets, and more than one person in a 8'x8' cell/room. Sweat is a natural bi-product of dorm living.)

Freshman year seems like one long, neverending icebreaker. There are so many people to meet, all in the same nervous wreck of a boat as you. Uncomfortable would be an appropriate descriptor.

Uncomfortable. It's not quite to the point of painful, but over time has a tendency to become extremely annoying.

So...

Here is the part where I tell you why this season of discontent can be so vital in changing a person.

Speaking for myself, this was a time not unlike junior high school. New school. New people to meet. New friends to make. New environment to adapt to.

I believe God puts us into these uncomfortable situations to challenge us. He is a God that knows all about us. He knows how far to push us in order to teach us. (Kinda like in Batman Begins...or the Karate Kid...or Rocky...or Star Wars...or a whole bunch of other movies with the same sort of master/apprentice relationship theme)

It was during college that my faith was challenged. It was during college that I had my first open conversation about my relationship with God. It was during college that I started to feel pretty uncomfortable with the way I had been living my life up to that point. It was during college that I fulling accepted Christ as the center of my life.

And God continues to challenge me each and every day. Even as a committed follower there are things that come up that still make me feel uncomfortable. But now I understand that in order to take myself to places I wouldn't normally go regarding my faith, I need that extra push. God provides this encouragement for me daily.

Isaiah 40:31

"But those who put their hope in the Lord will have renewed strength. They will soar on wings like eagles., they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.