And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.~Romans 12:2
You know, I don't think I've ever truly understood the concept of being in, but not of the world. I sincerely doubt that I'm alone on this topic, but still, when God shows me something new, I always feel as though I am the first to discover it.
:smile:
Perhaps this is natural, since my relationship is always between just myself and my Savior.
So I knew that going to a college like Texas Wesleyan was going to be a challenge; but certainly not in the academic sense. They're bottom-rung in the liberal arts section in the US News & World Report of top colleges in America. They accept primarily the kids who either can't afford to go anywhere else for a liberal arts education, or those who'd just rather party their way through school. Still, they do have qualified professors, classes are small and personal, and while the classes are academically unchallenging, for someone accustomed to academic achievement, your education is what you make of it.
I knew all of this.
But somehow, I didn't count on a complete lack of, well, hmm...perhaps I can say it this way.
I certainly didn't count on going to a school that was primarily heathen, as my mother would say. Ah, godlessness is the word. Even though I've only been through about the first two weeks or so of school, I feel as though I've lost so many of the assumptions I've made about the world in general and about actually functioning on my own as a part of that world.
I have been described as "an eternal optimist," and I do try to first view things as sunny-side up. I try not to ignore reality, but at the same time, who said the glass had to be half-empty? I faced my first challenge after moving in on Monday when classes hadn't yet started.
I was hanging with what I thought were surely a nice group of girls...when some of their language suddenly started to slip into PG-13 ratings. I inwardly shook my head and thought: "they're trying out new things since they're just out of highschool...they'll level out again after the jitters are gone." But then, the language got a bit rougher; I started to feel a bit uncomfortable. After all, this was the first time I'd actually heard people my age using language like this, and I was quite sure how to respond to it. One thing led to another, and pretty soon, they all started playfully calling each other names, and not things like "dork," "weirdo," or "flirt." Try the R-rated versions.
Well, that about did it for me.
I graciously bowed out [ie made some excuse about having to make a phone call], and made my getaway to ponder what had just happened.
As a Christian, how do you respond? What should you say? Leave? Quietly melt into a corner? Laugh and ignore the unsavory words spoken while still participating in the conversation? Stop being such a prude and adopt the lingo of the natives? [When in Rome?]
If that had been it, I think it would have quickly faded as an unresolved question into distant memory.
But bright and early Wednesday morning, in my very first class of the day, I was suddenly accosted with the thought that a few professors on campus do not value professionalism above individual expression.
[Lest someone take this other than intended, let me back up for a second. Professionalism, as defined by experience, is something that when all else fails, should be a standard of conduct in any situation. One does not wear distracting clothing, for this is unprofessional and distracts from the message you seek to communicate. One does not say offensive things, because this also detracts from the message you seek to communicate. It does not mean you lose your sense of style or originality, but it does mean that you are more considerate of your audience than you are your own personal comfort. Ultimately, professionalism is the neutral platform upon which anyone can stand and successfully communicate with anyone.]
My first prof told me that only he and one other prof were "permitted" to curse excessively. He's also the one announced that should we need to find an STD's testing facility, he would be the one to help us out. Also, if any of us should be addicted to cocaine, crystal meth, or speed, he has had a high success rate in eliminating addiction in those particular areas.
The next day, my first prof of the day proceeded to rant for a full 1.5 hours on how the American economic system only caused crime and war, there isn't enough money in Social Security because taxes aren't high enough, and we need socialized healthcare. My second prof explained to us that the Indians were systematically eliminated by the white settlers, and that the Indians weren't heathens. They were "earth people." But my last prof took the cake. She let us know up front, that this class would not be for the faint of heart. She would cuss if she wanted to, she would talk about things that would make us uncomfortable, and before anyone tried to convert her, she let us know that it had been tried and she knew she was going to hell. She goes to church, but is an atheist. :sigh:
The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.~Psalm 10:4
After four/five days of classes, I still wasn't certain of how I was supposed to fit into all of this, though. I mean, I kept thinking "renew your mind...don't conform, renew..." It became something of a mantra.
Finally, after many mother conferences and some reading, I remembered one of the very first passages I'd memorized as a child.
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.~Psalm 1:1
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. ~I Corinthians 15:33Evil communications has often been translated as wicked or ungodly company. But in my particular situation, I think it applies w/o interpretation.
Even though it often doesn't quite feel right, natural, or Christian to speak of people as evil, wicked, ungodly, or unrighteous, God clearly defines them, what they say, and what they do.
An integral part of not being of the world is learning to see things from God's perspective, and God says:
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.~Philippians 4:8
I've already dropped a class from my schedule, and am planning to drop another. Lord-willing, however, I'll be able to maintain my hours and then some through CLEP tests. I plan to CLEP American Govt, American Hist I & II, Intro to Psychology, and College Algebra. If I can land a 60 on each test, they will count for 15 hours and will bring my hours to a total of 27 by January. I view that as the major highlight of Texas Wesleyan; they will accept the CLEP instead of spending two-three hours a week under the influence and power of those who hold the knowledge of God and the principles of Christianity in contempt.
In short, classes have been interesting. My high-lights have been the Baptist Student Ministries meetings, Moot Court prep, Intro to Business class, and my Macro-Econ class. So it hasn't been all crazy, random, and offensive, but it's definitely enough to keep things interesting.
I certainly can't say that I've learned everything I need to know in the last two weeks, and now I'll be perfectly prepared and will know what to do in every circumstance and will always shine as a light no matter what is said and who is standing in front of me.
Still, I rest assured that as long as my vertical relationship with God remains priority, worries about what I will say, how I will respond, or what to do in various situations have definitely been mitigated. After all, life is all about whose perspective, whose glasses you use when evaluating life.
"When you wake up in the morning, Pooh," said Piglet at last, "what's the first thing you say to yourself?"
"What's for breakfast? said Pooh. "What do you say, Piglet?"
"I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?" said Piglet.
Pooh nodded thoughtfully.
"It's the same thing," he said.
...for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.~I Samuel 16:7
