Life Calling

The most stressful day of the quarter is not what you might think.

Some would say it is the first day of class.  Walking into a new class, trying to find a good seat, and hoping some one you know will walk through the doors and the two of you can be bosom friends throughout the hour and twenty minutes you will be sitting there.

Others will declare that is completely incorrect!  The most stressful time in college is not a day at all, but the three days of finals, and the "dead week" that proceeds them. 

I disagree with both of these statements.  The most agonizing time for me is registration.

Every single time I pick classes I seem to re-evaluate what I want to do with my life, and what major/double major/minor/double minor combination would be the best path to getting me there.

And of course, now that I have registered I have been doubting if I am taking the correct classes and constantly scan the "open class" list, searching for a class that particularly calls out to me.  None have yet screamed my name.

These thoughts have been running through my head all week.  All month, really.  But last night, when I went to my secret place to spend time with Jesus, I wasn't thinking about it at all.

I said, "Jesus, I love you.  I'm listening."

And this is what he said to me:

"I am like the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'" -John 1:23b

"A voice of one calling, 'In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.  Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill laid low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.  And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it.  For the mouth of the Lord has spoken." -Isaiah 40:3-5

First I thought, "If everything is made smooth, we will have no hills for sledding!  Instead, we will fly on our joy."

Then I wondered what exactly this meant for me?  The voice that calls out in the desert promises that all obstacles will be removed at the glory of God will shine everywhere.  That is such a hopeful message! I need to share that message with people in deserts.  Does that mean a literal desert?  No.  It means places where there is no life.  It is there that I should go.

Haiti.

I asked if I thought it out of habit, but I am certain that God whispered it in my ear.

I am going to go there and say good things for them

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.  Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." -Proverbs 31:8-9

and to them

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your moths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." -Ephesians 4:29

I know I am headed in the right direction because

"If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand." -Psalms 37:23-24

You can bet I'm shaking, but I have not fallen yet.

So I'm going to stick with a communications major, but I plan to throw in some english courses (for writing purposes), some theology courses (for a more sound biblical education), and political science courses (because I like them so much that they must be important for something in my life).

Now that you have read this, I ask that you help me.  When I can't seem to have forgotten what direction I am supposed to be going with my life, remind me to read this post.  Then I can remember where exactly I am going. 

It'll make the most stressful time of the quarter a little easier on me.