As I reflect on my 4 years at the University of Minnesota and try to comprehend the reality that college has actually come to an end, a lot of unforgettable memories, important lessons, and irreplaceable experiences come to mind. For those, I am so thankful.
Beyond the human physiology and chemistry that I attempted to learn, here are 11 of the biggest lessons I learned in college:
- There is so much value in community, in having a home team and a support group, people to share all of life with, celebrate with, cry with, and eat ice cream out of the carton with. People to encourage and to be encouraged by, people to listen to you complain and to tell you to stop complaining because everything will be fine. People to pray with, dance with, and hug. People who know you and won’t judge you. People to show you more of who Jesus is.
(To my clubhouse ladies and my b-stud girls over the years, I’ve learned a lot from you.) - Coffee is a great thing, not just because of the taste and the caffeine, but because of the quality time that having coffee with someone provides. While I did spend more money on coffee than I should have, the relationships built, the challenging and encouraging conversations had, and the truth read and spoken at coffee shops are worth way more than the $3.89.
- I am not perfect, never will be, and definitely never was, and that it is OKAY. I can’t do everything and I can’t be everything to everyone and that is also okay. My strength and my worth come from the Lord. Striving to be perfect or feeling I need to have it all together only discredits what Jesus did on the cross. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9). I’m learning to admit and boast in my weaknesses.
- God changes lives. He pulls 180s, flips our desires, and gives us fresh starts. His grace and forgiveness are REAL and He will bring us out of the darkest places if we let Him.
- I can’t keep God in a box, only believing He’ll do what seems reasonable and probable. I have to expect the crazy, the improbable, and the unexpected. God will surprise me, blow my mind, and call me to do things I would have never imagined. Not only that, but He will see me through it.
- People need to hear the gospel and it is my responsibility to share it.
- Good things come from stepping out of your comfort zone, setting aside your fears and insecurities, and taking risks for the Lord. God is someone worth putting all your trust in. As difficult as this is to remember and act on every day, God has proven He is faithful.
- I must keep learning. It doesn’t matter how many conferences, retreats, Cru meetings, or classes I’ve attended, how many times I’ve heard or shared the gospel, how many Bible studies I have led or participated in, or how many years I’ve been around, I always have more to learn and more people to learn from.
- Love goes a long ways. Everybody just wants to be loved and to know they are loved. We search for this love and acceptance in all sorts of different places, while God is showering us with love all along. We need to remind the people around us how much they truly are loved, not only by people, but most importantly by God. He really really does love me. The God of the universe actually cares for little ole me and you. And it is a love that conquers all.
- I try far too often to put my worth in approval from others, in pleasing people, and in being seen positively by other people. This mind-game holds me captive, but God is setting me free and teaching me to put my identity fully in Christ.
- God is good, all the time. There will be (and has been) hardships, doubts, disappointments, and struggles, but God is truly GOOD through it all. Through the worst of times and the best of times, I have so much for which to be thankful.
These are lessons that I have to keep learning and applying to my life. And these are lessons that have played a huge role in my story and in leading me to where I am today. These are lessons that have helped give me a desire to be a World Race missionary and, no doubt, lessons that I will both cling to and forget at times while on the World Race.
