Proverbs 16 | He is God & I am not
The honeymoon phase, the rush of adrenaline, the novelty of it all is fading. I suppose I'm living the college life. My week in one word: full. To be sure, I have had moments of intense busyness or overwhelming tiredness. But in these short few days. I have also had moments of incredible joy and contemplative wonder.
Saturday afternoon I planned for a productive trip to downtown Chicago. Of course, when I plan to be productive and when I am productive don't always match up. And taking the train into the city meant adventuring at least for a little while, I told myself. My adventure included the brilliant atrium officially declared as the "Winter Garden" (9th floor reading room of Chicago's Harold Washington Public Library). A few tables and chairs were scattered about and even fewer people milled around - taking pictures, reading books, or appearing to study. I did all three. About a half hour into my studying, an older, African-American lady with a kind faced slowly approached my table and asked if she could join me. The other tables had filled up by then, and so I smiled and nodded yes, of course. She settles down. She pulls out a book. I would recognize the columns and lines of a Bible from anywhere. On a Saturday afternoon, this Chicago lady was basking in the Word of God. The room was lovely, but the simple picture of her quiet devotion struck me as fiercely beautiful.
God is in the midst of the mundane. He is always speaking to those who will listen. He is God & I am not.
College life is a challenge at times. But challenge brings me to recognize my shortcomings and failures as God has already fully recognized, fully seen me. All that glitters is not gold. "How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver" (Prov 16:16). I can say with confidence, these days are golden, living and learning in His light.