I'm a senior.
This is my last year as a college student.
My last one.
Sometimes I thought this day would never come. It still sounds weird coming out of my mouth. I only have 9 more months on campus.
That fact has been hitting me hardcore these last couple of weeks. And with it comes the question, "How will I make it count?" Am I living in such a way that people will know I love and serve Jesus - even if I never say a word? What kind of impact have I had on people - and how much of an impact will I have this year? How do I make this count?
I've heard a very interesting thought process on this over the past few years. Many leaders I know and greatly respect have kind of taken possession of the phrase "Leave nothing undone." Their philosophy has been something to this extent: "Do everything you can now, and pour all you are into everything you do; because the last thing you want is to walk away from this campus thinking 'I could have done more.' Leave nothing undone."
And while I agree to an extent on the fact that we do need to give everything we are, I think sometimes we get too wrapped up in making sure we're doing everything we can. But let's take a moment to look at the ultimate model of what our life should look like: the life of Jesus Himself. He did a lot - understatement, actually. He did SO much; healed the sick, raised the dead, discipled the foundation of the church, preached to thousands upon thousands, etc., etc. But the thing is, when you really stop to think about it, Jesus could have done more. He could have reached more people, fed more crowds, healed more sick... He could have. But the thing is, even though He didn't do everything He could do, He did everything He was supposed to do.
See the difference?
My life is not about doing everything I can do. It's about being faithful to do everything I'm supposed to do. I'm not so concerned with looking back at my college career and thinking "Well I could have given more time, money, effort, etc, into (fill in the blank)," as I am concerned with looking back and thinking "I was supposed to do (whatever) and didn't." Because let's be honest. If I give absolutely everything I am into everything around me, just for the sake of "leaving nothing undone," I'm eventually going to spread myself so thin that I'll be rendered useless in every area. And yes, sometimes that means not doing what would seem to be the "ideal" ministry service. Maybe, instead of going to that social event where you would potentially meet 6 new people who would want to join your small group, it means going and studying with that one classmate who's been contemplating suicide - until you stepped in and showed that you cared. Or maybe it means washing dishes or tearing a stage down after a meal or service instead of socializing with everyone. The "best" ministry is not always the most obvious, or the most (seemingly) fruitful. I don't really care how far I reach; I care about reaching in the right direction. A very wise pastor of mine once said "Your reward is not based on your call; it's based on your faithfulness." It doesn't matter what your ministry looks like, or how many things you're pouring into; what matters is giving everything you are into what God's called you to pour into. Anything else is a waste of time and effort.
And just remember, no matter what God's called you to do, He'll take care of the results. All you have to do is be faithful.
