Why I’m Giving Up My Dreams.
And why you should be stoked about it too.
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I’m a Senior In College (What my Dreams are)
Last spring semester, I watched some of my closest friends graduate. On graduation day, I saw this crazy spectrum of people; Some spent four years preparing for the day they’d walk across that stage, others spent four years avoiding the fact that they’d have to leave college.
After that day, I decided I’d like to be as close to the first group as possible. That meant thinking about what I wanted to do with my life. I settled on planting a church/starting a coffeeshop someday, and essentially realized I would need more education to ever do that. As such, I started calling any adults I knew who had either Masters of Divinity or Masters of Business Administration.
Frankly, that was an incredible experience, and I learned a ton about the practical sides of both degrees. I figured a little of both wouldn’t be a bad idea, and settled on at least starting both degrees within the first four years after graduation.
That idea, combined with working while going to school, made for endless combinations in my future. I spent a lot of my time this summer mentally turning the puzzle pieces over in my mind and looking for the way they all fit together.
Now Why I’m Giving That Up.
A few weeks back, I heard a sermon about where people place their identity outside of God. I realized my need to plan my future was due to a fundamental insecurity. I needed to impress people with every area of my life, and my future was no different. As such, I sought the best and craziest plans to wow everyone around me with.
On top of that, God began to show me that He wanted to do something special on the campus of Lipscomb University this next year. Through conversations with multiple people in completely different areas of campus, I started hearing everyone saying the same thing:
Revival is coming.
See, I kind of figured that with my bright future in ministry, I would naturally turn my eyes and heart away from campus over the course of this senior year. My turn would allow me a smooth transition from college and a head start in the adult world.
I was fully prepared to divest myself from Lipscomb University this next year. However, I was doing it because I thought it was best. That’s not the worst reason in the world, but in this case, it didn’t cut it.
What I Dream About Now.
As the people of God, our priority should be God’s plans and the service of his people, not our needs or benefit, because God will take care of our need and benefit so long as we’re concerned with His plans and His people.
Whether I like it or not, my dreams were like headphones bumping some Kendrick. It sure sounded good, but they kept me from hearing the God who was calling my name.
At the end of the day, Lipscomb is going to be dramatically changed by the work of God in this next year. He wants people who are down to be used by Him to participate in that work, and I plan on keeping my ears open for his voice. That meant taking out the headphones.
I couldn’t direct myself towards both what God was doing right in front of my face and what I hoped I could do in the future. I realized a need to let go of my plans.
That doesn’t mean they won’t happen; I’m still going to apply to business school and seminaries, but I’m not going to prioritize my applications over an opportunity to love God or love people.
I have no idea what this next year is going to hold, but I’m praying it ends with people who never knew God coming to know Him for the first time. I’m praying it ends with a community on campus that looks so distinctly like the Kingdom of Heaven that it’s unignorable. I’m praying it ends with a work of God far beyond what any of us could ask or imagine.
