“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” –Colossians 3:2-
This is something I’ve been struggling with lately. My mind has been so focused on earthly things it’s ridiculous. What are others thinking of me? Am I doing well enough in my classes? These are just a couple of the questions that have been flooding my mind lately. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the things of this world, especially now as I’m going through a big transitional period in my life. Everything that I’ve know is gone and it’s like I’m starting over again. It’s been really hard for me to answer these question that I’ve been asking myself, but God’s been trying to get it through my thick skull that it doesn’t matter how other’s think I’m doing. Am I doing everything for the glory of God? Are my thoughts and motives directed to the God who gave me life? These are the questions I should be focused on. I need to stop comparing myself to the people around me. Does their opinion really even compare to God’s? Definitely not! I need to take a step back, take a deep breath, and realize that time is ticking away and I’m sitting here worried about worldly things.
What would my life look like if I put less emphasis on my school work and started putting time into enjoying my time here and investing in the people here? I can honestly say that I’ve never regretted taking time from studying to talk with someone. I regret when I neglect people to study, though. I try to think of this when I’m debating on which I’d rather do. I agree that there is a time and a place to work hard and do your best academically for God, but don’t let it consume you. There is SO much more to life than text books and tests. Nobody is going to remember what you got on that first biology test, but they are going to remember the conversations and memories they made with you. So I guess the question I want to challenge you with is where are your priorities? What is consuming your thoughts? Is it worldly things? I know my thoughts and my priorities have been worldly, and that needs to change. There’s a bigger picture that I keep forgetting about, and God keeps reminding me to slow down and take that in. I hope you don’t forget that either. There is an opportunity for you to change someone’s life by the things you say or the things you do…don’t miss it.
