Two Things I Learned This Semester...

Two Things I learned this semester (Ok, the two most important things I learned this semester…)

1.       My identity is not found in how I do on a test, what grade I get in a class, what size my jeans are, or how many friends I have. If my grades or GPA is what defines me, my worth is based on my performance. If the number of friends I have or what cool plans I have on a Friday night defines me, my worth is based on what people think of me. Or if how well I look in a dress or in the gym defines me, my worth is found in myself. ALL OF THIS IS USELESS. IT WILL ALL FADE AWAY!

“Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised!” Proverbs 31:30. Instead my worth and identity should be found in how CHRIST sees me. He is the one who created me and ultimately has the final say anyway…

 

Lord, please help me to see myself the way that you see me.

2.       God is my strength when I have none. One memorable week this semester, I had so many projects due in all of my classes and ironically they were all due in the same week. (I think the professors get together and discuss what day to assign papers and project due so that they are all together…) So I was averaging about 4-5 hours of sleep per night, living on coffee and fast food, struggling with keeping up with due dates, working two jobs, and trying to be patient with myself and people around me. Typical college kid life. It was the most stressful week of my life. However, despite the stress and everything going on, God was reaching his arms out to me showing me he wanted to take care of all of it if I would just let him.

One day I was late to class because I wasn’t done with the assignment due that day. I came in late, turned it in, and headed to my next class. Once I sat down, the professor said “Ok, everyone, turn in your papers up here!” My palms started sweating, my head and heart were pounding, I couldn’t manage to move. I seriously thought I was going to have a panic attack. Through the grace of God, I made it through the rest of the class and talked with my professor who agreed to accept it if I emailed it to him by the end of the day. I was in a daze on the walk back home.

 I came inside, went into the bedroom, shut the door (thankful that my roommates were not home yet) and got down on my face and cried out for strength.

Lord, I can’t do this anymore! I have NO more strength left. I need you. I know I need to get this done, and I still want to honor you. Please help me to concentrate and finish this paper.

 I had one hour before I had to be at work. I sat down, opened my laptop, and took a deep breath. The paper was only two pages of a book review I have already gone over in another class. It was two pages down to the last line, and I still got to work on time! It was truly a miracle. I have NEVER been able to write that fast. Praise God! During the rest of the day God provided me strength and encouragement to share with others, to depend on him!

That night some friends and I were discussing Matthew 11:28-29:

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

God want to know our burdens and he wants to be involved in EVERY area of our lives! What do you need to talk to him about? He cares about each of your worries and fears. Talk to him.