College Ate My Friends

I want to apologize for not finishing what I started in my post, "Should College Be Our Default." I initially thought I would take a swing at that topic for the following two reasons...

1. I started feeling like the "imperishable beauty" guy. The posts on imperishable beauty and physical beauty were spreading and being quoted on a lot of different blogs. That was great, but it was time for a change.

2. College is something that I think is overrated and overemphasized in our culture today.

After that initial post, I realized that due to my lack of college experience, I am not qualified to speak authoritatively about the subject. I also realize that I harbor some level of animosity toward college. For this I don't completely apologize. Why the bitterness? Hear me out...
College ate my friends.

No, it's true. The American undergraduate system came and devoured.  Left and right, guys and girls I had grown up with were uprooted and swallowed. I am not sure exactly what happened to them. I do know this, they are gone.

I am learning that college hasn't completely consumed them. Rather, college merely grasps them and gnaws on them for a few years, and than spews them out. The problem? They don't always land back home. Sometimes they do come back, but oftentimes they are misplaced to different states or even countries.

I am not sure why I got passed by. Perhaps I looked to be a little academically lean. Perhaps college looked upon me, and for once had a wave of pity. Whatever the reason, I was left behind. For this I am grateful.

College isn't a complete tyrant. No, for a couple times a year, i.e. summer break and holidays, he bends down and opens his mouth. When he does, I look in and behold my friends. Brief reunion. They look horrible. They use terms that I am not familiar with like "all-nighters", "finals", and "energy drinks". They say, "We should get together!" And we do! How sweet these times are. Oh, but they are only for a brief season, as college once again closes his mighty jaws, and they are gone.

So here is my admission. College ate my friends, and I am forever biased. To serve you better, I will not be waging war against college on this blog.

Instead, let me simply give a word of encouragement. When coming "of age", our first questions ought not to be, "What college should I go to?" or, "What degree should I pursue?" Instead, we ought to consider these questions...

"What gifts has God given me?"

"How can I cultivate these gifts to best edify the church, and further the renown of Christ?"

The answer won't be the same for all of us. Further education can certainly be a wise stewardship of God's gifts for some of us. However, we ought not assume that college is automatically the best place to be equipped to serve the church. Don't fall into the trap of equating your value and meaning in life with whether or not you pursue the "American dream" of formal education. These have been the richest years of my life in terms of my sanctification and learning. I wouldn't trade the opportunities I have had through this season for a PhD.

Done.      

Comments

[Tina]

LOL and Amen. Sometimes I feel like "marriage" ate all of my friends. So I feel your pain. :)

I did go to college and though I am not doing what it was I set out to do when I started my education, I wouldn't trade those years for anything. I got saved in college, came out of my shell in college, and discovered my voice (in more ways than one) in college. It was a once in a lifetime experience. But I went into it simply because I didn't know what else to do with myself. Had I been more purposeful and thoughtful maybe I wouldn't have gone...maybe I would have gotten much more out of it. Regardless, I do agree that the decision to go to college needs a lot more thought and planning behind it than it seems to get now.

[Sarah]

Dan-
I can echo a lot of what Tina just said. I went to college simply because I didn't know what else to do. What I gained was not really academic, but it was a time of growing up, maturing and developing a deeper walk with the Lord. Would I do it again? Probably not. Had I been more mature I would have spent time seeking on the Lord on how to put my faith into practice and further His kingdom. I think you are far more mature than I was. Keep seeking His face and the widom He imparts is worth much more than anything you could get on this earth!
Take care-

[vanessa]

haha, can i just say that your blogs are really great, and i find myself relating to a TON of stuff.

I am sitting in my college's computer courtyard right now. But that doesn't mean it has 'eaten' me. In fact, so many of my friends have been devoured by this beast, that i pretty much have gone the other way...but anyways, i think college not only is pushed onto us by society, but it appeals to a lot of our sinful tendancy's as well.

Things that have sinfully drawn ME would be: selfish ambition - wanting to make something out of myself, competition - being in a classroom with 20some kids your same age, all doing the same work! hello!, Freedom and independance from parents, and many more.

I know many many people who wouldn't trade their college days for anything, and I myself have learned a LOT about trusting God, evangelism, discipline, time management, and respect durring my time in college, but it is NOT for everyone, and it is a landmine for sin...i think it should be considered very carefully and certainly not the default.

[Puritan Belief]

In Australia we call it University and unfortunately it ate me up for some years. Looking back I would have much rather have not gone there and gotten more life experience.

You are right about our gifts the Lord has given us and to pursue this avenue rather then the "American/Australian dream"

The Lord has prepared in advance for us good works so that we will walk in them "Ephesians 2:somewhere"

After understanding this verse I do think that Uni gave me some great opportunities to tell my peers about Jesus and was exactly where the Lord wanted me at the right time.

Love your blog Mr Roof guy.