For the 28th Time

The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. -1 Peter 4:7-11

Since this is finals week at school and Christmas break is just around the corner, I find myself now, more than usual, being easily distracted from my purpose to love God and love others. Instead of focusing on spending time with God or the people around me who need it most, I end up spending my time studying finance terms for the 28th time, figuring out who else would be free for a soccer practice, decorating the apartment for Christmas, making mouth-watering cookies, guessing what family members and apartment-mates might want for Christmas, writing blogs, etc. While those things might be fun or even good things in and of themselves, I’ll be the first to admit that they have taken my focus off of my desire to develop my relationship with God. So when I read this passage (above) last night, I was struck by its relevancy, as if the Bible was speaking directly to me (oh wait, isn’t that the point of it?).

“Be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.”

It’s so true; with so many things on my mind, it’s difficult to focus every time I try to pray; instead, my mind wanders from homework to Christmas to friends without any sort of rhyme or reason. Clear-mindedness and self-control are necessary to maintain that relationship with God for the very purpose that we might talk with Him.

“If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”

I don’t know if you can count doing homework and studying as a way of serving (maybe serving your teachers?), but I’m equating the two here to get my point across. Yes, I’ve been spending a lot of time (probably too much) studying or perfecting homework assignments, as if my college career really did depend on it. And maybe studying and putting all my effort into my homework and other school responsibilities is a good thing, but if I do it without recognizing God’s strength through me or without giving Him praise, then it really doesn’t matter. If I am disciplined and work hard, it should be so that HE looks better through me, that HE might be praised, that others might see HIS work.

Just maybe a change of perspective as we finish finals week (and as I stop blogging and start focusing on what’s even more important)…