The Depths of Despair: the college edition.
I recall a moment, at the beginning of my Freshman Year in college, when I was certain that my world was going to collapse in around me: I got a C- on an exam.
Never in my life had I identified so deeply with the whimsical, passion-filled red headed Anne Shirley (that’s with an “e”).
"I'm in the depths of despair... Did you ever try to imagine that you were in the depths of despair, Marilla?"
“No. Because that would be to turn your back on God.
This familiar dialogue came to mind as I laid in my dorm room bed after the exam finished. My hair was in an unkempt messy bun on top of my head, I had covered my face with a blanket, and nothing sounded better than just giving up and dwelling in my depths of despair. I closed my room off from the light and just sat there... in the darkness of my dorm, with a blanket over my head.
Yes - enjoy that mental picture.
...but then it occurred to me what I was doing, and one single word came to mind: perspective.
So - I sat up (granted - a few hours later) pulled the blanket from on top of my head and opened the window. It was then... that the still small voice of God came from the stillness and said...
“You are rediculous. There is much taking place in this world, so much tragedy, and yet, so much joy and victory. Now get out of bed, and allow my eyes to become yours."
Have you ever heard God laugh at you? ...because I did in that moment, and it was a humbling experience.
So perhaps the take away is simple, rather general and maybe even a little silly: but don’t pull the blankets over your head. There are so many tragedies taking place around the world, poverty, sickness, and death, that your hiccup doesn’t need to be one of the them... I am trying to remember this. Perspective - the end of the world doesn’t need to come from an exam grade, a hurting relationship, or being late to work.
Those things matter, granted, but just remember... take His eyes at yours, and perspective will follow.
