Conquering the business of life

Life Currently

It is nearing the end of the semester here at Gateway. I could describe it with one word . . .umm, "CRAZY!" At this time, we Gateway students usually have several papers and tests due, many involvements in local church and Gateway ministries, plus the upcoming holidays (just to add to our distraction). Life is very busy, and in our spiritual walks, it feels very hard to make any progress. I know that we college students aren't the only busy people. Everybody in America is busy.

How do I grow?

I have been wondering how to spiritually survive--even thrive!--in a time like this. It is just like David said in his blog, these are sunny, "dry" times. These are times when you learn just how to stand strong and even grow.

So here's the fruit of my reflections:

1. Keep your priorities straight. Always ask yourself if what you are doing is really more important than God-time, or is it just busy work that can be put off until later? Sometimes it is; sometimes it isn't. If it can be put off, then spend time with God first. However, if you have something to do that must be done right now, don't feel guilty. God knows; God understands.

2. Live life to please God not to finish a checklist. Sometimes that means finishing homework on time and spending only five minutes in prayer before bed instead of spending an hour in prayer and not doing any homework. You have to consider wisely what course of action will please God the most.

3. Even busyness is no excuse to completely forget God. We often think that since we are busy, we have a good reason to not spend any time at all with God. In your crazy schedule, YOU MUST MAKE SOME TIME (maybe not as much time as you would like to take or normally get to take) to stop and listen to the voice of God. He is the source of help for your problems. Completely ignoring God results in depresion, confusion, and frustration. We are human, and it is impossible for us to adequately deal with life's problems alone.