Ten Lessons from Taylor
We're done. The days of reading Wendell Berry and worshiping at chapel and clapping way too long with a thousand other classmates are behind us. So long to the black squirrels, easy friendships, and freely crossing every street with the knowledge that cars yield to pedestrians 100% of the time. Taylor is a bubble and I know that outside this one-mile loop, cars don't stop for street-crossers, most squirrels are grayish-brown and life isn't always a worship service. Not everyone will wish me "shalom" and there will be confrontations that end in angry resentment rather than prayerful reconciliation. Life outside the bubble is about to be drastically different than anything around the loop, but it's what we're called to- it's where we must go. In the spirit of (frankly sucking at) reflection, here are ten Taylor lessons I hope I never forget. Beyond the bubble we go!
N O T E T O S E L F :
1. Honesty isn't optional. It's not the best policy- it's the only policy. God detests lying lips and, as Joe baby has been reminding me lately, the truth is abundantly better. In love. Often. Not sugar coated. Better to say, "I didn't do the reading" or "I just don't see a future here" or "This is how I've been hurt by you" rather than sulking, faking, and growing ever-embittered because I was not bold enough to speak truth.
2. Ask for freaking help. From the time I did not understand molecular biology to the time I felt so far in the pit of a spiritual drought that I could not recall the feeling of God's presence, if I would have stepped up and asked someone to explain something, pray with me, or talk to me, it would have changed the situation so much sooner. The pride of self-reliance is a pitfall I'd love to avoid.
3. Learn to say no. Taylor perpetuates a culture of "yes-ness" that makes everything look enticing, fun, and like something we "should do." The world outside is quite the same. Too much of this leads to neglect of spiritual disciplines, loving people well, and rest. Do tons of fun things, absolutely. But if I do all the fun things, I'll be grouchy. And I won't really enjoy them. So be self-aware enough to know when I need to "no."
4. Get outside and look up. This was advice given to me by Pastor Jeff when I was flattened by anxiety and the tunnel-vision trap that allowed me to only see the turmoil in front of me. "We were made for things beyond the horizon," so look to the sun. See the bigness of God, experience awe through his nature - the sunsets where I breathe deep and say, "He didn't have to do that." Reminders that God wanted to do that will also remind me how much he loves me, and that he is in control.
5. Read the Bible every single day. I didn't develop a habit of hunger for the Word until the Spirit did a mighty work on my heart during my sophomore year. It changed everything. God's Scripture is fuel, bread, life, light, and the written glory of a covenant unbroken. Bask in that narrative arc of your salvation every single day.
6. Slow down. In my fitness class we read an article about "hurry sickness" that changed my life. For a girl who finds her identity in her agenda, slowing down is the best way to bring me back to God. It prevents callousness, reminds me of God's glory, helps me love better, eat slower, drive safer, and notice the good things of life. Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from my life.
7. Give thanks as often as possible. Someone challenged us to wake up every morning and thank God for life. It's been a refreshing habit. You can't hold stress and gratitude in the same mind- gratitude rolls like ocean waves and washes stress away. There is so much to be thankful for. If I don't consciously praise God the minute I wake up, I might forget.
8. Get to know people. Schedule-selfishness leads to loneliness. Take extra time to get coffee with someone. Talk to the cashier, the girl in the Chick-Fil-A line. Ask questions and listen deeply. People are all made in God's image and to neglect one is a hideous distortion of Jesus-imitation. See people like Jesus does and love them like he loves.
9. I have a lot to learn. I always will. Commit to being a lifelong learner. Keep asking questions, keep picking people's brains, seek out multigenerational friendships with people older and wiser. Read like crazy. Don't for a single second think that this degree is a destination, and don't think I've gotten it all figured out because I'm "not like them." Jesus asked questions just as much (if not more often) as he pumped out truth.
10. God absolutely longs to draw me in. I've written on this often, but it's a truth that changed my view of Him. He is not a distant, indifferent dictator driven away by my disobedience. He does not stiff-arm sinners, nor scoff at my shortcomings. The very nature of Jesus sees me, a broken sinner incapable of saving myself, and cannot help but gently and lowly extending his love and grace toward me. He stoops lower still. Run to him with everything.