As the old adage goes, “Hindsight is 20/20.” I’m certain no one would disagree with that statement.
I have always enjoyed helping others; therefore, I want to use this as an opportunity to encourage students to live wild at heart and free in the hope of Jesus Christ. Through him, I’ve been able to chase my dreams and conquer my fears, but more importantly, I have an everlasting happiness that is based on my personal relationship with my Savior.
The best advice I can offer is to continually seek and pursue a daily relationship with Jesus. As a senior, I can promise peer pressure and criticism from insecure students abounds, and there is no way to handle it without knowing who you are in Christ.
Without him, the small, petty denigrations can affect you in numerous ways and, ultimately, deter you from achieving your goal. One of my favorite Bible verses that gives me encouragement is John 16:33:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Countless times this verse has uplifted me during times of sadness and strengthened me at periods when I’ve felt incapable.
Obviously, from the verse above, living a personal relationship with Jesus Christ doesn’t insure a life without struggles. In fact, it may — and usually does — make you more susceptible to criticism. However, it relieves an incredible burden for the cares of this world, as Jesus promised: “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30).
When our eyes are fixed and focused on him, the things of this world, like social status, popularity and appearance, slowly fade away — none of that really matters.
Unfortunately, I’ve noticed many of my peers following the crowd because they didn’t have their own identity.
Rather than develop a relationship with the Father and hear His voice about how they are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14), they would find acceptance in a fellow student’s opinion. Regrettably, this caused them to miss out on the enjoyment and exuberance that God has to offer.
St. Irenaeus has a famous quote about the subject: “The glory of God is man fully alive.” Those words give me chills every time I read them.
Based on the aforementioned quote, I believe we are encouraged, and even urged ,to live with abandon. Clearly, I don’t mean “abandon” such as recklessness in alcohol and drugs, but instead, as Christians we should glorify our Creator through our existence.
Finally, the most influential reference to living fully alive was delivered by Howard Thurman, and it affects me every day: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
So let me ask you: What makes you come alive?
Joshua Davis is a senior communication specialist major from Argyle. He is a sports writer for the Lariat.
