Praise You In This Storm

Growing up in the United States, we are told, by society, just what to do to be "successful." It is drilled into us from a young age that we need to get a good job, get married, and buy a house. This all leads to a "good" life. To many college aged individuals like myself, this task can be daunting because too often we lose sight of what is truly important in this life. Yes, I want a good job so I can live comfortably. I want to get married and live "happily ever after," but more times than not, we find ourselves getting discouraged when these accomplishments/events seem to be beyond the reach of our grasp. We cringe at the thought of having a job we will hate or not getting married and ending up single.

Going to college at Hillsdale College is no exception, the same fear of failure follows me around here daily. Recently, there have been a number of engagements or new relationships springing up like wildflowers. It is frustrating because the thought of leaving college without a girlfriend brings a sense of failure to my life. People in my situation feel like losers because we do not have that significant other at the time we graduate. We are faced with leaving this place where we are surrounded by such wonderful,Christian women and venturing out into the world where it is more difficult to find the type of individuals we grow so accustomed to at this college. As I sit here typing this, I have no job, at the moment, for after graduation and I am single yet, I have everything I could ever need in Jesus. Too often we try to go through life with our struggles without putting them before the Lord. Isaiah tells us in Chapter 40:28-31,

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

I sit here depressed and sad about the lack of what I perceive to be important in life but whoever said these things would come when I wanted them to. God has plans for me and I know that He will provide for me all that I need at a time of His choosing. All I can do is continue to grow in my faith. I think this is what this time is for. I think it is why I may not have a girlfriend right now. Either way God will provide.

This storm we see in our lives may just be our own imperfections getting in the way of our relationship with God. I need to refocus my walk with God and this must take priority above everything else. Only through this process can I accomplish God's plan for my life.

The storm is here...what will we do???