College Daze?

For whatever reason (and I have a couple of ideas why), I spent a fair amount of time yesterday, thinking about my college days... and seriously, how times have changed. I look back on those days with mixed emotions. I'm thankful for what I learned, the experiences i had and the friendships I made. On the other hand, it could have been so much more. Had I been more disciplined in my studies for the first 3.5 years as I was in my final semester; had a disastrous relationship not consumed my freshman year; had I been more intentional in pursuing a career tract...

So much to reflect on... and I know God works all thing together for good; for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. However, as the comedian, Michael Jr. explains, God's working in our lives is like a GPS. He's not chewing us out, going 'hey, you missed your turn; where are you going' and the like. He takes us where we are, as we are... "recalculating".

Sometimes the road we choose has detours. There are road closures with sections under construction (or as was the case yesterday, STILL under construction) and times when life gets bumpy, disconcerting and all-around frustrating. 

I have a great appreciate for those in ministry on the college campus scene. There are so many foundational elements that are established as young people make the transition into adulthood, that if they don't "get it right"  as it were, will set the course for the remainder of their lives... a course that will only get increasing difficult to change, readjust and navigate as life continues. 

College is a great time of one's life. It is a crucial time in one's life. It's also a great time to draw close to God, to focus and seek His face and to allow Him to reveal Himself and His plan and purpose for one's life. Instead, it so easily get filled with others things; some of them important and necessary even. Yet so much of it, is not healthy, not beneficial, not constructive and conducive to the clarion call to which we should be prepared to receive.

So, pray with me, this #missionsFriday, for the mission field of the college campus; may this be a time that the miraculous working of God is revealed in hearts and minds. Pray for those in ministry reaching out; that God would grant them wisdom and discernment to speak into the lives of young people. May God give to them direction, in their studies and activities and more importantly, that they may watch for the calling that God desires for their lives.  May God make their ways straight, their purpose clear and their foundation strong; that whether they step into the marketplace or into ministry, the work of the Lord would continue from students into adulthood, dedicated unto the Lord and determined for His good works prepared in advance.

A strong foundation...
A clear calling...
A resolute response.
For the glory of God
For the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

- PNC

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