Biola University First Year Student Journals

The Reality of Growth

September 1, 2005 | 14 comments

Laughter. Healing. Joy. Authenticity. That's what I am finding here. I live in a massive hotel (Hope Hall) on the south end of campus. It's like an oversized refrigerator with hundreds of miniature insects living inside. Although there aren't any free bottles of shampoo, maids or room service, this place is still quite unique when compared to your average college dorm. My neighbors are people who make me laugh. There is a dynamic among my floormates of being authentic and serious, mischievous and joyful. You might think to yourself, impossible! Not so, not so, my very dear reader, it's very possible. I spend a lot of time with my next-door neighbors: Chris, Ben, Josiah, and Jordan. We started our own VFP Bible study over breakfast at the café on Mondays.

I have learned much during the past couple weeks. For instance: that it is better to have five close friends than to have everyone know your name. I have also learned that while I like being by myself, I still get lonely during lunch. This is why I usually eat outside in the grass, because then I don't have to sit alone or stand around for several minutes looking for a group of people that I recognize. I suppose if you are an out-going type of individual, this little piece of information is of no consequence. For you, out-going individual, dismiss it from your mind. But for those of you that are more of the loner types, I have some advice. At some point you will have to be vulnerable with other people, otherwise you will spend your college experience on the outside looking in on something wholesome and life changing. No, this isn't a line from the DC Talk song, Shine.

A few weeks ago, randomly (note: this usually means by God's appointment) I spoke with one of my neighbors, Chris. Without prior ice breaking, we spoke of our battles and struggles, being completely honest with each other. I was so encouraged to realize there are others in this place going through the same struggles and questions of understanding faith; people here are seeking to find answers, legitimate answers to legitimate questions. After talking, Chris and I prayed for one another. Leave it to God to give me exactly what I needed. Since that conversation I am seeing the beginning of an awesome and lifelong friendship.

I realize now that this whole process called college isn't something to be taken lightly. The choices I make now, what I will study, who will be my friends, how I feed my intellect, will affect the rest of my life. I'm excited and a little scared. This isn't high school anymore. It's now impossible to get by with mediocrity. However, this is a journey we must all take, whether in university or at our work places, whether in southern California or elsewhere. We all must grow up. But this doesn't mean that grown-ups don't have fun, contrary to what Peter Pan might inform us. No, the fun only gets more witty, more exciting and more fresh.

When I take a step back to look at my life, God's leading and moving are evident. Yes, even in spite of the pain, in spite of the struggles and battles still afflicting me, beneath the surface of perceived emotions and difficulties is a caring Savior with his arms wide open and his heart full to overflowing with unconditional love. The reality that I am here at a private Christian university speaks of a faithful God.

Journal Entries

• The Reality of Growth
• Apple Bowling
• The People of Breakfast: Food for Place
• Where To Go
• A Method to Student Filming Madness
• My GYRAD With Amy
• Roadtripping to Seattle

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