Twice a year: around this time in May and right before
Christmas, a large group of the population of America begin to have great
stress and lack of sleep placed on their lives: finals week. It is a wonderful
time of year where we have comprehensive tests and large papers or projects due
within a few days of each other. It's when the library is packed with all those
entering the doors in hopes that these many all-nighters will prove worthy of a
higher GPA. But, as we are in the midst of this chaotic week, we should take a
step and back think. I know thinking even more than we already have to during
this time is asking for a lot, but it's needed. We should step back and realize
why we're here and what the purpose for it all is.
Firstly, why we're here. Well some say it's to gain an
education, others to pursue a future career. Even others say because that is
what you do after high school; go to college. But I think it's more than that.
We are here for a purpose. We have been blessed with the resources and
abilities to be in higher education. God has granted us the means to be here.
His providence has given us funds for tuition, the resources for food and
books, and the ability to pull those all nighters. He alone has granted this to
us. Yes it is true we are here to prepare us for our future careers, but it is
because he has granted us the ability to be here and in his provision we are
being able to pursue this for our future.
Secondly, what is the purpose for all of this. That can be
hard to determine. I have been in this boat for almost two years trying to
figure out why I am even pursuing the degree I am and what I can possibly do
with it. Well, the purpose can be summed up as this:
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:11 ESV)
It is for God's glory. That is why we are here. We are here
to bring him glory and honor and praise through every aspect of our life; even
through school. We can honor him by diligently studying and performing well so
he may receive praise. It is by his will we were created. It is by his will we
are here. It is from him we have everything, even the knowledge and capacity to
understand what we're studying:
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."(Proverbs 1:7 ESV)
If we begin by humbling ourselves before the one who knows
all and has created all, and then progress by serving him through our work, we
will succeed because we are pleasing him, regardless of how our GPA turns out
or what grades we receive. If we devote our lives to honoring him in whatever
we do, then we will serve our purpose; to bring him glory.
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