Proverbs and The Reluctant College Student

     "Choose my instruction instead of silver,

        knowledge rather than choice gold,

     for wisdom is more precious than rubies,

        and nothing you desire can compare with her."

                                       

                                              Proverbs 8:10-11

     I read Proverbs 8 just a few minutes ago. As I finished, I asked myself what these two verses (10-11) actually meant to me. While silver, rubies, and choice gold bring vivid imagery to the mind, it's not all that practical or applicable to my daily life. After all, I can't say that I've found myself with a heap of jewels on my right and a mysterious, glowing cloud of wisdom at my left, wringing my hands and furiously asking myself, What to choose? What to choose?

     I'm at a place in my life right now that I honest to goodness never thought I would be at. I've started a program called CollegePlus, an accelerated way to earn college credits and pursue not only a degree, but more importantly God's purpose for your life.

     In other words, I'm in college. Full-swing degree choosing, future planning, career deciding mode. *distant screams of terror and hair-pulling*

     I promise I'm not actually that dramatic in real life, but I do mean that I never (ever, ever, ever) thought two to four years of college would be in my future. Or at least this soon in my future. I could give you lots of reasons for my former declarations against college but that doesn't really matter.

     The moral of the story is, God has lead me to a place and time that I am not familiar with and haven't prepared myself for. At least not as well as I'd liked to have.

     And boy, do I need wisdom. But what Proverbs reminds me is that wisdom isn't a handbag I carry throughout these decisions, but rather the lighthouse that I keep my eyes on throughout these decisions. If Proverbs tells me anything, it's that I am to seek and pursue wisdom. Note the continuity, not the finality, of those verbs.

     The pursuit of wisdom is more important than the perfect degree at the perfect school. It's more important than a high paying career and a "successful" life. My degree isn't the end or even the pinnacle. It's simply a way that I can pursue my God-given life purpose. That's the end goal.

     So I won't be derailed with a B- on a test or an impossibly high tuition or any other college nightmare that keep 19 years old like myself awake at night. If college is my end goal, I might as well hang my cap now. I certainly would never choose that path for myself.

     But if my end goal is love and pursue God, to reach the searcher, the sojourner, the one who doesn't belong, to be part of a vibrant, welcoming community, to use my gifts in music, writing, and art to help others reach their true potential in Christ...well, that's a purpose I'm willing to chase. Because it's more than a chase, it's who I am. 

     For me, Proverbs 8 is a heart check. Why am I doing this? To make friends, good grades, financial gain, a dream life? Or am I pursuing wisdom? Pursuing God?

     "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33