“Is this the college life I looked forward to?” you think, as you collapse in an extinguishing heap. It’s a Monday. Hunched and struggling through your tears, you peer at the computer screen in anguish. There’s 27 assignments overdue, oh and those are the ones that take multiple hours each. “This is the best time of my life they say?” you grump. The window glass fogs up with the crisp outdoors, and you long to be out, frolicking amongst the living. However you don’t feel much like a living human - more like a meaningless jug of milk with the expiration date firmly passing. Possibly getting moldy and forgotten, with no purpose at all. Imagine you’re a college student - or, maybe you are- and you’ll understand. In any stage of life we probably experience pain; I just haven’t been to all stages yet. Often I fail to see the meaning behind all my jumbled assignments and grumpy days. We see so much pain, but we don’t understand why. Especially in our college years, we get confused of why we’re here, and what on earth we’re supposed to do. We get confused- of the meaning of life.
Our society tries to find meaning in experiences, in love, in technology, or perhaps in sin and the ways of this world. Overflowing our social media and our schools is the mindset of finding happiness and satisfaction, always chasing to find a passion. But in our self-pleasing minds we can’t find it, at least on our own. Sometimes, we forget why it all matters. Sometimes, we forget why we’re here. I was at the University of Cincinnati one day, and something happened that made my heart break. We asked one student, “What do you think is the purpose of life?” The college student laughed, “Well, I’m just here for a good time, not a long time. Just to have fun as long as I’m here.” And my heart went out to him. He might have laughed and his friends might have agreed, but it struck me sad. Because I think he truly did have pain and emptiness, as well as countless other friends of mine. This world thinks there’s nothing left after this life, so they try to satisfy themselves as much as they can, as long as they’re here. It seems depressing, meaningless, like there’s no reason for living. They’re just squeezing as much fun in until the day they get put 6 feet under. It makes me sad, because I know how it feels to try to find happiness on your own. When I was younger I always looked forward to the next grade, or the next thing, such as the next milestone. Sometimes I think, “When I graduate, I’ll be happy." "I’ll finally be happy when…” has been a phrase in this world a lot. “They can get through anything in life because they have someone,” we think. But wait. Why can’t we think that with God? We can get through anything if we have him. But why don’t we think that? Why can’t God satisfy us? I finally had that thought when I was driving down the road one day. Why can’t I think that about God- because He is the only one who can truly satisfy. God always needs to be the top priority, because if you had the perfect life with that amazing promotion, the impeccable rich husband with curly locks who brings you flowers every day, and a mansion filled with joyful kids who always keep the house perfectly clean… what if you had it all but you didn’t have God? Our life still wouldn’t be satisfied. God is the only one who can. And to do that, we need to give it all to him. Give Him your steps. We try to figure out every step of our lives, but are we really supposed to? Why not let God take our heart, and shape it to be like his? Our feelings go up and down and crazily swing, but God knows the next right step. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 I saw a great quote once that said, “It is better to have the pain of discipline than the pain of regret.” I always want to do what will make me feel the best, such as collapsing on the couch and not working out, or losing myself in a book while miles of homework pile up on my computer. However trying to satisfy myself in what I want to do, is never pleasing in the end. Doing the right thing with God will always be worth it. Even if we can’t see it in the moment. Discipline yourself to do the next right thing. If you don’t know, seek God’s voice- by praying and reading the Bible, and asking for wise advice. Keep walking, steadfast in Him, and follow the truth in confidence that He knows what’s best. Give Him Your stress. Isaiah 26:3: You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Give him your stress, because he will be our peace. And look on Him. Why not release our stress into his hands, for he’s the only one who can handle it. Because He, our gentle Maker, knows the journey that will come upon us. Stressing over it, will only diminish our mindset towards him and the wonderful moments that come our way. Whether it’s moments of pain or moments of blessings, God always has wonderful faithfulness, and will be with us every step. Give Him your surrender. Before we ask him to fill our hearts with him, we must surrender everything to him, and let him banish all the things of this world we are so tightly clutching. God must be our priority. There will be pain in this- but a life of serving God will be better than a lifetime of regret. We will see the things that truly matter. James 4:14 -“How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” Sometimes we live for ourselves because it’s the easiest thing to do. But the short pleasures on earth are nothing compared to the eternal, God given pleasures in heaven. If we accept his salvation, life as a Christian here might be hard - but forever worth it in heaven. Yes, sometimes our head knows the purpose of living, but do we really live it out? Is it deep in our hearts, and ingrained in our souls? Surrender your feelings, your hijacked emotions, every step of your life, and every corner of your heart. Let him gather all your broken shards and consume every empty corner. He will fill you, and his love will fulfill you. Nothing will satisfy us like his love, no matter how we try. Your days aren’t meaningless. Your days are for Him. We’re here because and for Him, and the great thing is He’s here for us. So next time you question why you’re here or your purpose, turn to the Word of God. We are here for a relationship with God, to glorify him, grow closer to him, tell others about him, and show his love. In doing this, I have found moments of true joy- when I am in his will. But it’s not about feelings. On a mission trip in Mexico once, I remember how happy I was to be serving God at that moment. But other days are dreary and different. A strong and steadfast faith will keep our light burning when we don’t feel like this. Even through the glum days of emotional webs, we need to look upon Him, pray to him in constant moments of happiness or sadness, and follow him no matter how we feel. Because he is the meaning. Becoming closer to him is the ultimate goal. This world gets jumbled with emotions and we want to be happy right now, but God is the only one that can truly satisfy. Life matters, but only because of God. And that’s why I’m here to live.
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about the authorAs a 21 year old aspiring teacher, Karissa loves to write, travel, play piano, and read. Many creative things have her heart. archives
November 2021
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