Retrospect

Retrospect

Hello, dear readers. I’m back.

It’s been over a month since my last post. I am sorry about that, but I had to finish college. I think I have a degree in Communication Studies and Philosophy & Religious Studies now, or something like that, so that’s pretty cool. I promise I will make an attempt to be more consistent with this “newsletter” now. Perhaps one post every two weeks will be the goal.

Anyway, this post will have a slightly different vibe. I want to take time on here to reflect on my own college experience. For some of you, this will be an incredibly insightful meditation. For others, this will mean nothing at all. Regardless, I hope it is worth reading for all of you.

I first began college in 2018, the fall after graduating from Billings West High School (Go Bears). Unfortunately, it was several months before I realized how badly unprepared and how spiritually underdeveloped I was to handle such a change in my life. The friends I made had a particularly unhelpful influence on me, and my academic endeavors were futile. I disliked myself, hated school, and felt particularly lonely for most of that year. To cope with my misery, I did what everyone else did and took what I could to numb myself. This behavior brought me to a hospital one night. It was an incident that should have killed me and, miraculously, didn’t. I like to think God just wouldn’t have that.

So upon surviving this incident, I realized my helplessness and sought to change a few things. It came to my attention that I did not really have the faith I thought I did. Jesus seemed further from me than I wanted Him to be.

So, the next year I transferred to a Bible college. If I was going to find Jesus anywhere, I figured it would be there. I took a gap-year in a program that would, over the course of the next eight months, involve me in many ministry opportunities. I was placed on a team that did ministry in Chicago, Milwaukee, Pine Ridge Reservation, Thailand, Nepal, and Israel. It was over the course of those experiences where I truly got to know Jesus and understand what the whole point of being a Christian was. Much of my faith was worked out at the college itself through many fruitful friendships. God works things out in mysterious ways, but sometimes He’s just practical and gives you what you need.

The year after that brought me back to my hometown, where I finished the last three years of school. I’ve made more friends, grown in my faith (which really means I’ve grown closer to Jesus) and figured out how to write pretty well. At least, my professors think I do. I also gained some experience as a leader in college ministry, and like to think I’m pretty good at that.

Now that it’s over, I’m on the job market (if you’re hiring, reach out!). I’m spending my days now between a part time job and relaxing at home. Reflecting on the last five years, I think of the things I’ve learned, and hardly any of it is academic.

So, for you readers, here are some of the biggest things my college experience has taught me. Take them how you will:

1) It matters who your friends are. They will have the biggest impact on what kind of person you are, so make them good ones.

2) Spend your time well. It is a limited resource, and by far the most precious. Budget it. Sacrifice it. Make it fruitful.

3) Don’’t take anything too seriously. Don’t cry over a C- on a test. Life is too short to let anything get the best of you.

4) Don’t take anything too seriously, but learn to be with those who do. It’s not worth losing control over things you can’t control. But some people will. Some will take every little thing very personally and seriously, and it is okay to be okay with that. Learn to be friends with them anyway. Don’t be an apathetic turd.

5) Love the Lord.

That’s all, folks.

Let me know if any of this proves helpful for you. Until next time.

Don’t forget to tip your drivers.