Experiencing God In College Намуна

Should I switch my major? Which internship should I apply for? Which way should I go next, left or right?

College is this great crossroads of opportunity. There are classes to choose from and majors to declare and social opportunities to pursue. How do we go about making decisions, both big and small? Whether we’re deciding if we should say yes to a date or if we should change our entire major, we always have decisions in front of us and choices to make. 

I love that our Scripture for today points to two important clues on how to live: life and peace. When we contemplate a decision, we should ask ourselves, Will this choice bring me life? Well-being? Health? Wholeness? Integration? Or will this lead to unhealthy side effects? Will this put me in a place that has goodness for me, or detriment? Will this lead me closer to God? Does my heart rest at peace if I make this choice? 

Paul tells us that the mind set on the flesh is death. Our flesh is self-serving and self-destructive. Over time, if we live only by the whims of what we want, we will be unhealthy. But if we live by the Spirit, listening as best as we can to him, then life and peace will be the fruit. We will more deeply know God, and we will serve him and serve others. Through this process, God will bring more wholeness, more inner rest, and more peace.

Do life and peace mean freedom from hardship, valleys, and heartache? Nope. But it’s actually in these very places that the Spirit will cultivate life and peace. As we make choices that honor God and his Kingdom, we may bear crosses and experience rejection and feel abandoned. So did Jesus. But he is the Resurrection and the Life. We can experience his life and peace, too.

But how do we choose between two really good things? I had a young woman call me recently wanting help making a decision about her future. “It would be easier if one option was terrible and the other one was awesome. But both have really great advantages, and each have their own disadvantages.” 

I replied, “Well, then, which one feels the most fun?” 

She didn’t expect that question. But why not? If your heart beats toward something that makes you feel alive, that is fun, that lines up with how God made you—why couldn’t we choose that? The mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. Be free to follow him and enjoy the ride.

Today, what decisions are in front of you? Take some time to ask the Spirit to lead you and to show you the choice that brings life and peace.