It came to mind recently that I've received that question a good bit when people realize I am going to college. "Do you like your college?" or "Are you happy at your college?" are common questions.
I really appreciate it when people take (what I consider to be) a more realistic approach and ask, "How is college?" Because college is not, foremost, about being happy. While I do deeply appreciate that people care how I feel and want me to be happy, it helps to have perspective.
Life is not about my personal happiness. What is best for me is probably not what is easiest and therefore most pleasant and therefore prone to make me instantly happy. It may be cliche, but I agree that the trials we never wanted to endure can be the key to our greatest growth. As Hebrews more eloquently states, "My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." (Heb. 12:5b-6)
While there have been times (as my family can attest!) that I have nearly crumbled under the unexpected workload, the greatest strain by far is spiritual. There is a kind of unique pain that comes from seeing people about whom you care brushing so close to religion, and yet so far from Christ. No matter how many times I hear my Lord's glorious Name misused, it still cuts me each time. I find myself smarting and furious under the blows aimed at the accuracy of God's Word and His Lordship--for He is my Love, my Life! The acceptance and even praise of outright sin sickens and wearies me. Amid raunchy jokes and crude phrases, I long for the purity of Heaven. "Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were." (Psa. 39:12)
Christians are not meant to live in a spiritual bubble (1 Cor. 5:9-13). But we are also not of this world (Jn. 17:16), and we long for our true, eternal home.
Earth is so empty.
"And the earth was without form, and void;"
Exactly my opinion!
"and darkness was upon the face of the deep."
What could possibly remedy such a situation?
"And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."
Before any visible work of God occurred, the Spirit of God was moving upon the dark waters. Wow.
"And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." (Gen. 1:2-3)
I see people blinded by the god of this world. Their world is dark. God must bring the Light.
Meanwhile, I continue to live in the world, the world that is without form and void, seemingly stripped of meaning and solidarity by relativism. And at the moment I feel so alone, truth triumphs. "We also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses."
I am not alone. Not only does the Spirit of the Living God dwell within; not only am I invited to lean on my Savior's breast as John did; not only am I ushered into the throne room of my Father, the King of Kings; but I see, in a flash, the multitude of witnesses. Abraham, the first sojourner. Moses, who forsook earthly position for affliction with God. Daniel, no longer in Babylon. Mary Magdalene, who would not desert Jesus even after His death. Paul, the persecutor turned preacher. I see some of my favorite brothers and sisters - Richard and Sabina Wurmbrandt, Hudson Taylor, Ravenhill, Adrian Rogers, and so many more. I see the beautiful faces of unnamed lovers of Jesus from other tribes and lands whom I shall not meet till Heaven. Oh, what a beautiful Body of Christ! And they are witnesses!
Therefore, "let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,"
This race requires endurance ...
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;"
... and my Jesus is the Supplier of that endurance!
"who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,"
Jesus endured the cross, not for mere obedience, but for joy!
"despising the shame,"
The junk that the world throws at us is not to be passively accepted; Jesus endured His cross while despising and rejecting that which was not of God.
"and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
For my Jesus has triumphed. Amen!
"For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself,"
Jesus endured contradiction, opposition.
"lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." (Heb. 12:1b-3)
If we focus merely on opposition instead of the One Who conquered sin, death, and the enemy, we will surely be wearied and faint in our minds!
So set your gaze on Jesus. Know that though the world may offer us opposition and shame in place of ease and happiness, there is great joy in Jesus' victory!
Am I happy? Sometimes, but not always. But I have something better. I have the joy of Jesus through the Holy Spirit, even when my heart is breaking over sin.
