Lately, my personal life has been riddled with thoughts of the future and of what I wish accomplish with my life. Admittedly, I found myself thinking that maybe I didn't have "the stuff." I found myself looking at all those things in my life that, in my mind, weren't good enough - my short comings. I thought of all my friends involved in performing here at SLU, and I yearned for the stage... but I told myself it just wasn't where I belonged anymore. I thought of my friends back home and the memories of my past experiences, and I wondered if I'd ever be good enough to reach that level in college. To put it simply - I was only looking at the aspects of my life that didn't live up to my expectations (which, in all fairness, happens a lot in college). It'll take time for me to get involved in organizations and groups that are similar to those that defined my life in high school.
At this point, you may be wondering where I am going with this. I really want to emphasize the idea that, in these stressful times, I have completely failed to recognize all of the things in my life that went well thus far. Without even realizing it, I had created a solid group of friends here at SLU, and I had successfully got involved in both faith and leadership roles on campus. I even chose a major! Now, that is a nice little update on my life, but that isn't why I am currently writing. There is a bigger picture.
When Jesus called his disciples, he said, "Come and follow me, I say, and I shall make you fishers of men." Jesus told them to drop everything - what they thought was their purpose in their life - and called them to something greater. Take a moment and wonder. Is this happening in your life? I realize that I adore the stage and music, and I hope to keep them close to my heart... but I also realize that I can feel God tugging at the strings of my heart, calling me to something greater - something amazing. So, maybe you didn't get a callback for your audition. And maybe you didn't get that position you interviewed for. But, as cliche as it sounds, as one door closes, another door opens! You will never know what's waiting around the corner if you slouch against the wall and cry about "what could of been."
Look at the world. There is corruption, hate, slavery, scandal, and murder. But there is also a growing force of love. A growing force of those who accept their calling and work to make the world a better place. Do you think that when these people went to college, they majored in "starting a movement" or "inspiring a nation" or "saving a life"? Those majors don't even exist! I am glad they followed the path God set for them - even if it was a broken path. I am thinking back to the slogan of Notre Dame Vision: "The Gifts of the Saints changed the World. What will you do with yours?"
So, my friends, I challenge you to look past the things you don't get, and instead, focus your vision onto that which awaits you: the loving embrace of God and his plan for you.
