Rest for the Weary (college student)

This week spent in Jeju, Korea at the ICORS conference has been a whirlwind of activity and adventure. From staying up for 24 hours throughout the duration of my travels to overcome jet lag to navigating an entirely new culture and environment, meeting numerous leading experts and scholars from around the world, preparing and honing my presentation, and meeting up with old friends and colleagues from Xiamen, China, the nonstop journey has not ceased to excite and challenge.
In times like these, the Owen from years past might have tried to convince himself that within a few days… within a few weeks… within a few months… or maybe, even within a few semesters… the craziness would eventually subside to peace after the work was finally completed. Unfortunately, life has proven that it possesses a plethora of potential stressors and challenges — more than enough for any one person’s lifetime — just waiting to be unleashed whenever one challenge has been overcome. After realizing this, I no longer expect the busyness and stress of life to magically be alleviated, in fact, nor do I even wish so. However, adopting a welcoming attitude to increased responsibility, in both my occupational pursuits and personal life, has forced me to question how I might find peace amidst a never-ending flow of busyness — and my solution to the problem might surprise you.
Take this week in Korea for example — No, I did not find peace via a comprehensive time budget, nor in the cups of coffee used to keep myself awake, nor through any assurance of finding a multitude of friends to hang out with. Peace was attained in perhaps the most unusual of circumstances: completely alone, absolutely still, kneeling on my bedside floor after waking up in the middle of the night — hair unkempt, stomach grumbling, and thoroughly jet lagged — my eyes shut in concentration. There, in the silence of an early Jeju Island morning, hours before my presentation, I found peace through prayer.
Now, I realize many people have contrasting ideas of what prayer involves — for me, prayer incorporates meditating on God’s promises and being reminded of His ability to fulfill His promises. I am often reminded of a biblical hero’s amazing display of faith in God and peace despite constant pursuit by enemies who wished him dead. Amid chaos and fear, David writes:
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want
He makes me lie down in green pastures
He leads me beside still waters
He restores my soul
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies”
This same peace David found 3000 years ago sustains me each day, allowing me to welcome new challenges and obstacles with thankfulness. This same rest I experienced at my bedside, providing a much more potent or satisfying rest than any sleep could have brought. This same tranquility I receive every day because of whole heartedly submitting my life to a God who fully understands what is best for not only my life, but the lives of those around me. And, best of all, this same peace that ultimately made David the best King in Israel’s history is free and available for anyone who should desire it — throughout all of history and for as long as the Earth keeps spinning.
Acknowledgments:
It is with a humbled heart that I express my thanks to Temple University for financially supporting my attendance of ICORS this year, as well as to my family and friends for their continual support and encouragement throughout both my personal and career endeavors. Finally, and certainly of the highest significance, I thank God for providing me such rich opportunities to share and learn with my peers in humbling and eye-opening ways; apart from Him, any achievements of mine would be in vain.
