If you're like me, then you're the kind of student who wants a structured syllabus and detailed assignment instructions from your professors. You want a "road map" for your semester that will instruct you in advance of every twist and turn so you won't wreck or fail.
And if you're also a student like me, you want a "road map" of sorts for your life.
You want a detailed explanation from God of exactly which steps to take well in advance. You want to know the final destination and you want to know your path to get there in advance to "ensure" that you arrive smoothly.
Recently, I've been debating on whether or not to double major, double major and minor, or double minor. I went to three different advising sessions in three different academic colleges, seeking guidance on the best steps to take to get to my vision for life.
Meanwhile, I paid little attention to the best "road map"– The Bible. I was praying about my major/minor decisions, but I hadn't given God the space to speak because I was too busy. All the while, God was waiting for me to be still so He could speak.
However, during spring break, I finally took some time to sit down and be still. I opened my Bible and God led me to and reminded me of verses on trusting Him:
1 Chronicles 5:20 (NIV) "They were helped in fighting them, and God delivered the Hagrites and all their allies into their hands, because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him."
Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps."
Proverbs 20:24 (NIV) "A person's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand their own way?"
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
As college students we want to choose the "right" majors because we want to be on the best career path for our lives.
However, we often forget that while choosing a major is an important step, it is not an end all. God can surprise us, reveal new passions, and awaken new dreams at any age. The major(s) and minor(s) we choose at 18 do not limit God's ability to order our steps.
In Psalm 119:105 King David writes, "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."
God's Word lights our paths and when we take time to pray and ask Him about what we should do, and then listen to Him, He will give us peace about what our next steps should be.
There may not be explicit instructions on how to reach our life visions, but there are explicit instructions on how to get the best life possible, and they're all in the Bible.
As one of my mentor's says, give God space to speak, take in His Word, and His truth will light your path.
Trust and obey God in the here and now, and He promises that He'll get you to where He wants you in the end.
Be encouraged because God has authored your story, and He won't only tell you where to go, He promises to help you get there too.
Better than any course syllabus, or road map, right?
