Late Night Discussions and Reflections During Finals Week

I probably said this or at least alluded to it in some post during a past finals week, but I'll just say it again: I actually really like finals week. First of all, no classes to attend. Hence I can work according to my own schedule; stay up when I want and sleep when I want. (This is probably also due to the fact that most of my finals are self-scheduled.) Secondly, everyone's in the library. I spend a lot of time in the library and so during finals week I don't feel so alone (in my misery) anymore haha. And lastly, I find that most of the good discussions with friends and personal reflections occur during this time. With the academic year coming to an end it's always good to look back and think about what happened in your life thus far.

So these past few days I've been meeting up with friends and we've been discussing how things have gone for us this past academic year. For me, it has definitely been a year of few high's and many of the lowest low's I have ever been through. Nonetheless what amazes me is how I can still speak confidently about my experiences. I know that this is not by my own strength, but because of God's Grace. This past year has again been a testimony of His faithfulness.

Being a Christian doesn't mean that everything will turn out well according to our plan, but that in the end everything will work out according to His plan. In other words, there's no one simple method you must follow in order to get God to bless you with the results you want. I learned a hard lesson of how honoring Him meant going through the valley, walking an unknown path, and relying on Him. To honor Him means to leave the results in His hands. And now, on the other side of the valley, despite the many mistakes I've made, I am amazed to find that I can speak of my mistakes in an unashamed manner (and hopefully in a way that helps and encourages others). While it has been one of the toughest times of my life, I still thank Him for the growth and refinement I have undergone as a result. And I pray that as I face trials in the future I'll be able to rely on Him with a greater understanding of His providence.

It is better to go to a house of mourning
than to go to a house of feasting,
for death is the destiny of everyone;
the living should take this to heart.
Frustration is better than laughter,
because a sad face is good for the heart.
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.
- Ecclesiastes 7:2-4

Currently Listening To:

- Faithful, Chris Tomlin

- All To Us, Chris Tomlin