As I am quickly approaching the end of my time in college (round 2), I can't help but want more. More friends. More freedom. More Nav functions. More late nights. More crap food. More time with my roommates in my house that needs more maintenance.
I guess there's a lot to look forward to. I just don't know what it all is yet, so it makes it hard to picture. There will hopefully be a salary in there with a good dose of independence as well. I'm still going to be living with my parents though, so maybe not so much. Btw, that is pretty embarrassing to tell people. "Yeah! I'm about to get a master's degree. What am I doing with that? Moving back in with my parents." Whatever. Don't judge me people. I moved out when I had barely turned 16. Give me a break.
For the summer, I will be doing a study of Proverbs. I already started. Originally, that was my plan for the semester, but circumstances dictated otherwise. In any case, I'm so glad to be back. At least now 121 Community Church's series on Proverbs is mostly done, so I can learn from Ross' material as well. I'm excited about this opportunity to soak up the wisdom of the Proverbs. It is important to remember that they aren't necessarily promises of how life will work out for you, but they present a system of wise choices and a way to navigate the world that God has made.
A verse that has stood out to me lately is Proverbs 3:27
"When it is in your power, don't withhold good from the one to whom it is due." (HCSB)
What strikes me is that it doesn't say anything about how this person earned the good that should be coming to them. It is silent on whether it is even I who owe it to them. There are no specifics about what particular realm it applies to.
Money? Food? Stuff? When somebody is doing something worthwhile, they may require some financial assistance from the body of Christ. This is easily seen by those in ministry positions that have to fundraise. Am I on board with that? And how do I pick what to give to? If I gave to every worthwhile effort, I couldn't make enough money to fill the needs. I think it is important to keep this principle in mind as we interact with people every day. Are people making needs known that we do nothing to address?
Favor? Respect? Praise and affirmation? Give positive reviews of things that are good! If you like it, say so. When people show kindness, appreciate that- whether the kindness was directed to you or not. Thank people for the things they do for you. Little things too!
Attention? People are deserving of your time. They are made in the image of God. They have ideas and thoughts and emotions. If they want your input, give it to them. I mean, be wise. I'm not saying you should hang out with everyone that comes along. Operate within appropriate boundaries on your own ideas, thoughts and emotions. What I am saying is that you can't write people off and ignore them. I remember having this difficult battle in my head once about whether or not I should avoid people I don't particularly like. I don't know that I ever came to a good conclusion on that one... Anyway, now I am wondering what would make somebody undeserving of my time? Stubbornness, arrogance, unrepentant foolishness, deception. Indicators that somebody won't listen to what anybody has to say to them or else have some other agenda. Anyway, moving on.
Prayers? Let's face it. Everybody and everything is always in need of more prayer. We could all stand to spend more time talking with the Lord. Again, if I prayed for every worthy cause, then I would never be doing anything else! Maybe that's the point. We are not to be discouraged by the volume of what needs to happen in the world, but it should spur us on. I know a ton of people I could be be praying for a lot more than I am. There's oodles of situations in my own life that I do not pray enough about! Don't withhold the good.
What about guidance, correction or rebuke? Those things are ultimately good (when done the right way), but they don't always taste very pleasant on the way down. They are kind of like verbal vegetables. Could it be talking about that as well? Maybe. Just a thought.
So that's something I have been considering lately.
