Unless the LORD builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
(Psalm 127:1-2)
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
(Psalm 127:1-2)
As any of us can attest, life can be an extremely stressful experience. College is no exception. So, when I came across Psalm 127 while studying for theology class, I couldn't help but wryly smile at the ways in which God chooses to speak to us. I certainly wasn't looking for a message from God, yet it still spoke to me in a unique way. This second semester has been rather rough for me in some ways, and it was an unexpected reminder of God's Divine Providence to read this passage of scripture.
I certainly have risen early, gone late to rest, and eaten the anxious bread of toil during my first year of college. Most days, God seems so remote that it is difficult to believe that even the smallest of circumstances come from His loving hand. Certainly, just looking back over the past few weeks, nothing special or extraordinary stands out; those weeks were just a series of ordinary, regular, often frustrating moments. How could the almighty God speak through such mundane and unpleasant messengers? And yet He does.
God may not speak to me via angel, earthquake, or burning bush, but each and every event of my tangled life points toward some greater reality. Unless the Lord builds, how can anything stand? Surely, if God took the care to bring me into this world, He will not leave me without a few directions on how to reach the final destination. Who am I to deny that God sends those directions through the most unexpected ways?
I certainly have risen early, gone late to rest, and eaten the anxious bread of toil during my first year of college. Most days, God seems so remote that it is difficult to believe that even the smallest of circumstances come from His loving hand. Certainly, just looking back over the past few weeks, nothing special or extraordinary stands out; those weeks were just a series of ordinary, regular, often frustrating moments. How could the almighty God speak through such mundane and unpleasant messengers? And yet He does.
God may not speak to me via angel, earthquake, or burning bush, but each and every event of my tangled life points toward some greater reality. Unless the Lord builds, how can anything stand? Surely, if God took the care to bring me into this world, He will not leave me without a few directions on how to reach the final destination. Who am I to deny that God sends those directions through the most unexpected ways?
Definitely agreed. I just finished reading Robinson Crusoe. That guy did not like God until he had endured many trials. It seems that the Cross is the only way to reach heaven. Of course, that's easy for me to say, as I glide through senior year. The biggest problem that I have right now is picking which of three plays I want to do.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry though, I have some problems. Like applying for financial stuff and picking the right college. yikes!
"When God closes a door, someway He opens a window."
ReplyDeleteDearest, I loved this post so much. You always make such excellent points. Ahhhh, I love you!
Lovely post, my dear. And profound. It's profound because it's really very simple. But profound things really are quite simple, aren't they? (I realized all too late this should have been my response to the Yale interviewer. :P I always think of good answers a couple of weeks after I need them. *sigh* )
ReplyDeleteYeah, unfortunately that's how I roll, too. I'll have this really disappointing class, and then later the same week I'll have a discussion with some friends and have really profound things to say. Such is life, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm glad you liked the post. ;-)