Future Stuff

When it comes to the future, I tend to worry a lot about how things are going to work out. Most people plan things for the future, like what their major will be, what their career will be, wondering who they're going to marry. But most of the time, it seems as though the majority are simply living their lives from moment to moment, not planning more than a week or two usually in advance, the next major assignment, the next mortgage payment, the next paycheck, the next couple of meals that must be prepared for. Sure, people plan a ways with grocery lists, getting wood for winter, preparing the soil for the next season, but these are so temporary in how long they get pondering time in the people's heads, the present takes up too much of their time.
We can see this application of present vs. future with how it relates to our decisions.
Wisdom is the ability to see ahead. The further in time that you can see, the wiser you become. For example, people will always choose the path that they believe is the best overall. Depending on their values, this will change. Some are always looking out for themselves so the best path is what gets them ahead. Or makes them feel good. Some are trying to live a life for God and so their actions are dictated by a combination of what they think God wants them to do, and what they also desire to do and weighing how much they may like to do something and how much God may disapprove of the action. And of course the time element is present again because the amount of time they spend pondering the decision usually improves the quality of the decision in relation with what they think will be best. They can take more variables into account when allowed more time.
But let us return to the point of wisdom being able to take the best path over the greatest amount of time. What are some common things we would consider foolish? Take those that have cheated on a test, done drugs, smoked, or so drunk they can't stand or make a coherent sentence the next day. Most of us would agree, even if you've participated in these, that they may have something alluring to them, but they still aren't smart. Cheating may get you the grade for that extra lab report, but you haven't learned and it will bite you on the final. Drugs apparently make you feel great but they are terribly destructive to the body. What would be considered a wise, or smart thing to do? Get your education, develop a marketable skill, marry a great person. These all take work and aren't always pleasant in short term, but the long term benefits make them very alluring. Can you see the pattern?
One can take the path that is the "best" over the course of a small amount of time-like the temporary high or other great physical pleasure. But they can have long term negative consequences which show the foolishness of them. But when we ponder our steps and try and make the best decision for the longest amount of time, you do your best to be wise.
And I would like to add a question-What events exist over longest time interval of all? Easy, the things that last until we die or beyond that. So, the second greatest thing we can do in our lives and so needs a great deal of wisdom, will be in the choosing of our spouses. It is not something to be taken lightly since the Bible provides very little for means of divorce. And the greatest, most wisest thing a person can do? Have Jesus as their savior since He's going to provide for you into eternity which goes so beyond our comprehension of the extent of time that we still haven't fully figured it out.
I am always pondering the past to foresee the future. I am fallible and I need my God to direct my steps, but with His help, I live with thoughts of the future and take care of the present. I don't worry about the future-if God's aware of when a single sparrow falls to the ground, I think He's aware of my entire future and He's not going to let something surprise Him. A person's future is kind of major in comparison. Matt 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." So, I don't worry, I just prepare. It's all over proverbs that a person should prepare and he's a horrible man if he doesn't. But it just shouldn't cause us to worry about it. Pondering is different from worrying. I did enough worrying freshmen year, it stinks and I don't want to do it again. My faith goes to the Father and I am secure in what He knows will be for my best.

Junior Year

Being that I will be going into my third year of college, I feel hesitant, glad, anxious, but prepared. I put in on my status that I'm a Junior! Eeek!. I'm both glad about it, and scared that the time went by so stinkin' fast. Common observation for the human race but I still make it. I have no concrete idea of what will have occurred by this time next year. I have a few plans but none are ever guarenteed. I know what I want to learn, and I have a few personal goals, but it will not be completely up to me if they succeed. I will do my best though to try and make them happen.
So, although it is not New Years, I would like to try and make some resolutions to shoot for this year.
1. Get above a 3.75 GPA and really try for a 4.0.
2. Conduct an excellent small group for the christian guys so they can learn, grow, and mature while in college.
3. Thrive in NROTC with drill, community service, academics, preparation for the future nuclear interviews, and still have fun with MWR.
4. Be apart of at least one outreach event for my town a week so that means doing either the food pantry, the soup kitchen or both each week.
5. Learn how to do a wall flip.
6. Break a 9:15 1.5 mile run time.
7. Not stay up past midnight every night and never doze in class like I did a couple times. Only on weekends if at all.
8. Read the word everyday.
9. Continue to develop the relationships I have and make new ones where I can.
10. Get more involved with ANS.
All in all, I have my work cut out for me. I don't think I will be able to do everything here, but I'll try and do most of them. I really have a feeling that things are coming to a head, and this is going to be one heck of a memorable year. See you when I'm a senior.