While sitting in my German class this last week, several thoughts occurred to me as I grappled with verb conjugation in a language I could not speak well enough to find a bathroom, let alone carry on a conversation. I attempted to follow the lesson, but I felt my mind beginning to wander to the to-do list that was a mile long in that incredibly cute, but ridiculously overpriced planner I convinced myself I just HAD to have. A headache formed, and that all too familiar knot in my stomach started to grow. The more I thought about what I had yet to accomplish, the more frustrated I became.
All too often, we as students feel this immense pressure to perfect, perform, and please in every aspect of our lives, whether social or academic. The pressure to achieve perfection is almost crushing at times. I'm not sure about you, but half of the time, I find myself hitting snooze 6 times, waking up in a panic because I hit snooze 6 times, and then hopping out of bed and running to class in the clothes I slept in (sorry mom). If this sounds anything like your life, take comfort in knowing there's hope for us shamble-ridden adults-that-aren't-quite-adults.
All throughout the bible, God reminds his children that we don't have to have it all together. He actually WANTS us to rely on him to meet our needs. If you don't believe me, refer to the big book:
John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be trouble. Trust in God, trust also in me."
Isaiah 40:30-31 "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Proverbs 16:3 "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."
Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Jesus didn't die to save the holy, he died to save the imperfect, shambly (a phrase the millennials coined to express when, "one's life is in shambles"- for all of the non-millennials reading this) sinners much like myself. I'm comforted in the truths above because all too often I find myself trying to uphold this standard that is completely unattainable. So fellow pseudo perfectionists, say it with me:
"I am."
"Shambly."
"And that's ok"
Jesus looks at our mess of a life and begs us to let him in. He craves our attention, not because he needs it, but because we are his children. We crush ourselves with the weight of our own expectations. While yes, our to-do lists are imperative (yeah, you should probably still write that 6-8 page paper on Sigmund Freud and his unorthodox research that impacted the Psychological world), it is perfectly ok to take a minute for yourself, and meet your needs. Eat that extra scoop of ice cream, laugh with some friends until your sides hurt, go for a jog, and take that nap you've been dreaming about since your alarm went off for that 8:30 lecture over insects in society that you convinced yourself wouldn't be so bad. I promise, the minute you begin to embrace who you are as this imperfect being that desperately needs divine intervention 24/7, you will be happier and healthier. The people that "have it all together" are either really good at faking it, or have seemingly boring lives as shut-ins. In other words, THEY DO NOT EXIST. So take heart my friends, in knowing you aren't alone.
So, what is the point to this mediocre article about a tired subject that everyone seems to have an opinion on? I'm glad you asked. If you happen to find yourself having a mini-breakdown in one of your classes in the not-so-distant future (it IS pumping season amirite?), know that being a little shambly is a-okay because all of your classmates are a little shambly themselves. Also know that Jesus knew the day he knitted you together in your mother's womb exactly what you would struggle through, and he desires for you to just give it all to him. Those burdens that are too big for you to carry alone...he wants them. He made that abundantly clear when he was nailed to a cross to save imperfect people like you and me.
Happy Sunday friends!
xoxo,
Han
