On a Christian Campus

This, the spring semester of my freshman year, is a rather stressful time. I’ve officially declared my major. I’m making plans for spring break. I’m trying to find a job for the summer. I still need to plan out the classes I will take over the next few years so I can graduate in a timely fashion. I don’t know what the next four years will hold. I don’t know what the next semester will hold. I don’t even know what next week will hold!

The first thing I want to do at times like this is worry. I worry about classes, jobs, people, the future—everything. There are so many things that are out of my control, and yet I try (and fail) to control them.

Enter God. He keeps reminding me that He is in control of my life at all times. This time He did it through the hymn “Be Still, My Soul,” Verse two says,

“Be still, my soul; your God will undertake

To guide the future as He has the past.

Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still; my soul; the waves and winds still know

His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.”

(Lutheran Service Book hymn #752)

I’ve been meditating on these words recently. I wrote out the words to the entire hymn and taped it next to my mirror, to serve as a daily reminder to me that God is in control. He has orchestrated everything in my life so far, and I know that He will continue to place me where I need to be in the future. With the knowledge that God is in control, I can live without worrying about what the next few weeks, months, or years hold. Even when things are difficult, He will be with me and guide me. And best of all, I know my ultimate future is with Him in heaven.

Contributed by K.M.