A Balancing Act
My circumstances in college were not rare, but they were still somewhat unique. When I moved out of my parents’ house and into my first college apartment, I became financially independent. Being a student was not my only job, because as we all know, it certainly doesn’t pay very well. In total, I worked 11 jobs throughout my three and a half years of college, trying to do everything I could to make ends meet and pay tuition. In order to maintain my ability to stay in school and pay for my living expenses, I had to learn the complex balance of work life, school life and spiritual life. The greatest lessons I learned in college did not come from any of my classes, but instead through the grace of God that taught me what it looked like to walk in a manner worthy of my specific calling during that season. Thankfully, these principles did not come through my own wisdom, but were kindly and gently poured into my life by the men and women who had faithfully walked this path before me; and these principles will continue to guide and shape the students who will walk after me. Here are six principles to remember as you embark on your college and career endeavors.
You are a Christian First, a Student Second
Your spiritual growth is far more important than your GPA. In the same way that you can’t earn an A in class without putting forth the effort and hard work, you can’t mature spiritually if you don’t pursue and prioritize growth. This means that being an active member of your church body is not optional. It is imperative to find a body that will teach you, encourage you, challenge you, pray for you and disciple you. Navigating the world of college and all that entails is difficult to do independently, and thankfully the Lord did not intend for us to take it on by ourselves. He has gifted believers with the body of Christ for our mutual edification and the building up of the saints. It is okay, in fact it is best, if the balance of school, work and spiritual life is centered on Christ. Don’t neglect the sacred spiritual gifts given by God for the satisfaction of an impressive transcript. Remember that it is more important for you to graduate college better equipped to serve Christ than to be the most equipped within the applicant pool.
“A Good Thing Is a Bad Thing if it’s not the Best Thing”
My pastor incorporated this saying into a sermon a few years ago, and it has been an instrumental proverb in my life ever since. In our college years, we are presented with an onslaught of “good things.” There are so many extra-curriculars to be a part of, spontaneous trips to take, relationships to enjoy, internships to apply for, and the list goes on. We have to be exceedingly careful to not allow those good things to distract us from that which is best.
Be in the habit of making a list of priorities and then learn how to adhere to them. Those priorities, when they are aligned with Scripture, will be a quick guide to help you identify the best things in your life. Get comfortable saying no, not because you want to be unkind or selfish in how you spend your time, but because you want to maintain your ability to accomplish and pursue the best things that God has given you to steward during this season of life.
Learn Your Limitations
Unfortunately, I learned my limitations the hard way. I pushed myself to do way too many of those “good things,” and I wore my body down faster and harder than is normal for any college student. God allowed very real limitations to come into my life through a variety of health issues, which taught me how to be a better steward of my body.
Our goal is to be found faithful in the long run. We are to run the race with endurance, and our temptation as college students is often to break out into a sprint, desiring to fit as much into our race as we can.
Unfortunately, when we do this, we burn out more quickly and are rendered ineffective for a longer period of time. Instead of sprinting out of the gates, we must be content to allow God to reveal to us both our designated strengths and weaknesses.
If you are a student who struggles with severe anxiety or stress, consider taking a look at how many commitments you have and evaluate whether or not you have tried to push far past your natural limitations. We open the door to temptation when we force ourselves outside of our God-given limits. Instead of fighting against the anxiety and stress, invite older counsel into your life to provide insight and advice in regards to how much you are equipped to handle. Remember that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, yet you were made with limitations. Embrace them, rejoice in them and learn to let your limits lead you to a greater dependence on the Lord as He demonstrates His strength through your weakness.
Pursue Excellence Relentlessly, Success Cautiously
It is so easy in our culture today to confuse excellence and success.
It is the Bible that calls us to excellence, and it is the world that calls us to success.
When we confuse the two, we often pursue success at the expense of excellence. As someone who went into college with an ambitious major and ambitious career goals, God had to quickly humble me and reveal that if I continued to pursue success for the sake of fulfilling my dreams, I would do so by relinquishing my responsibilities of excellence for the Kingdom.
It may be helpful for you to consider whether or not the success you are pursuing in sports, academics or a career is compatible with the excellence to which you are called as a believer. Can you continue in your pursuit of success throughout your adult life while still maintaining the excellence of your spiritual health, your spiritual responsibilities and your spiritual relationships? If you are able to find success through your pursuit of excellence, praise God! Let us learn from the example of Joseph, who was granted success directly from God, not because of his pursuit of success, but because of his demonstrated faithfulness to excellence for the sake of the Lord.
Stand Firm on the Promises of God
It is inevitable that we will encounter pitfalls in our effort to honor God and achieve the appropriate work-school-life balance. When we feel that we have failed, we must resolve not to lose heart. As David said in Psalm 27, “I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord. Be strong and He shall strengthen your heart.” Remember that God is working out His will in your life. He is orchestrating all circumstances together for your good. Search out the promises He graciously provides in the Scriptures, and learn to stand firm in His promises rather than on your own abilities.
