By Jannah
I really liked how we talked about the tragic gap in class today and finding the middle ground between being a cynic and idealist. It’s too easy to become engulfed by the bad and lose sight of the good, or on the other hand to focus only on the hope and good and ignore the pain that is so real and thriving. One of our visitors in class today talked about entering into the pain and while you keep sight of the hope, it is important to recognize how real the hurting is.
This is difficult at times for me. I am in my senior year and don’t know what I’ll be doing after college. It’s not that I don’t have any ideas; it’s just that I have so many of them and I’m not sure where to start. My major is music ministry and while I love being involved, this probably wouldn’t be a career for me. I’d like to work a little in health care, especially assisted living homes. For some time I have also been interested in going into music therapy. I would love to work with both children and adults and help those people who do not have the ability to easily express themselves in writing or through speech. For so many of them, music is something that just clicks. It is remarkable to watch these people who struggle so much in everyday life become truly alive through music. The hesitation is in opening myself up to all the pain. We talked about compassion fatigue and that is a big struggle for me. God is always with us and for that I am daily thankful. I know if this is where He leads me, then He will help me make it through. It’s easier said than done. There won’t always be good results and it might not seem like I’m doing much. Sometimes trust is one of the most challenging things.
I really appreciate what you want exposed here. Thanks for your sharp expression and intelligibility. Truly all over its nice read for me. Keep up this.
Jannah,
I appreciate your honest reflection and transparency. For my life and i’m sure you can attest to this the times of greatest struggle and pain have always resulted in great joy and fulfillment. We are in a formative place of life now and we are having to make decisions that have the potential to effect the rest of our lives which puts a lot of pressure on these decisions, but the opportunities are endless and the horizon vast so it can also be an encouraging and exciting time of life.
Jannah, I love what you have to say. I agree with you that it is easier said than done. You last sentence reminded me of something that Eric said in class today. He said that part of the reason he started Jacob’s Well was to see, “if God would show up”. I love this for two reasons. First, he was honest with us. He didn’t try to over spiritualize his motives for starting a church. And secondly, he simplified trusting in God. He wanted to try something new and I think he realized how short life is. He challenged me to follow my passions and simplify my faith down to the core truth that God is alive and will work in us if we ask Him to.