Freshmen… the source of frustration and entertainment for upper-classmen, a new start… first year away from home, freedom from mom and dad, first taste of the real world, no preceding reputations from high school… Freshmen are fascinating. Here in St Joseph, MO we have an on-campus Christian organization called Mobilise that is linked with my church, Living Hope Church. We had a booth at our freshmen orientation fair this morning. In speaking with and observing many freshmen, I was fascinated by the lessons I saw there. There are several different kinds of freshmen: the shy, unsure, and overwhelmed who look slightly lost even in an organized group; the outgoing and headstrong with a look-at-me attitude that scream that they want to make a different impression than they left in high-school; and the excited, just taking it all in, ready for a challenge go-getters. In seeing these different groups of youngsters (b/c I’m just so old ;) ) interact, I started thinking about life and different perspectives we take in our circumstances. We can be submissive and shy, letting our circumstances get the best of us; we can attempt to play it off like it doesn’t bother us, all the while letting it eat at us and throw us into internal chaos; OR we can go out head strong taking challenges as they come, being honest about the dangers, challenges, and things we just can’t change.
Freshmen can also be very vulnerable, easily led by those who would have their way with them, willing to try new things to the point of fault, willing to be consumed…
One of my favorite songs is “More Than a Friend” by Jeremy Riddle. Jesus needs to be our everything, the solid rock we stand on. He’s the only one who knows who we truly are, more than those you’ve grown up in high school with, more than your parents, more than your college roommates… even more than you. It’s so incredible to think that the Creator of the Universe stopped to make time to put you together with so much detail and care and excitement that it is unrivaled. It is an incredible realization… when I get caught up in seeing others fulfill the dreams that I have for myself… I stop and gain some perspective.
Who knows me better than I do? Who has bigger plans for me than I would dare to dream for myself? How am I going to choose to approach this? What perspective do I want to have? Will I let Jesus rule the situation or will I let the situation rule me? It all comes down to choice. Choose Jesus or let yourself be swept away. Today, I think I’ll choose Jesus.
Lord, please give me strength to choose you everyday… not just today. I love you. Amen.
Going green
Jenny
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