Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Psalms 46

Upon graduating, I sighed a deep sigh of relief. No more classes where professors mock my beliefs, no more dragging hours of study which does not interest me...

And then I looked around and thought... this is it?

I've been preparing all my life to be able to be on my own... and this is it?

I heard about a study recently where younger generations don't make it to a mid life crisis. They're caught in a panic at 25. A quarter life crisis.

Perhaps you've been through the same thing?

What if nothing I do has any kind of impact?
What was the use of getting that degree?
Why do I feel like I have no purpose?
What if college WAS the best years of my life?

Clearly, I have purpose. I'm a youth minister. I have a responsibility to every one of my students to teach and pray and intercede on their behalf.

Despite this knowledge, the months following graduation were difficult for me. I was transitioning into a new house in a new area of the city, a lot of my friends moved away from Austin, and I began a second job. I don't know if I expected instant success or gratification or for my savings to immediately begin growing. I don't know if I expected it to be easy to cultivate deep new friendships. But whatever it was that I was expecting, that's not how it went.

And then I read this passage. I already knew the first verse, had it memorized from Bible drill or something. But the rest of the passage is so beautiful that I was just struck by the words.

Psalms 46
1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.
(get ready for this.)
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold.

8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has wrought desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold.

And oh, through these words my God calmed me and held me and said- stop. Cease striving and know that I am God.
I am in the midst of you. You shall not be moved.
Psh, post graduation quarter life crisis- my God will be exalted among the nations.

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