Psalm 49

My world is changing. And it's changing fast.

I've never experienced a lot of change. Going to college last year as a freshman was a huge change for me and it took me a long time to be comfortable, and satisfied with where I was; just about to the time I figured out that NCU wasn't where I was supposed to stay.

I know it was God's decision for me to transfer to a public, state school. He had blessed me with 18 years of amazing stability and a community people dream to have. But that was to prepare me for what was in store. God will always equip us with the tools we need to do His work, if we trust in His timing.

This experience will be one in a lifetime. It's only day five and my world view has been changed completely. I came here with the mindset that everyone is going to be terrible partiers, impure, and rude; altogether unpleasant people I would rather not spend my time with. I urgently wanted to find Christian friends to have fellowship with and grow relationships just like the ones I left behind.

And while I did find some of those assumptions to be true, I also found they are genuine people. They care about school and about each other. We've only been here a week and have ate more dinners together than most families do. Everyone contributes and they are so accepting. My apartment is already known for its open door, and a hot plate of food at dinner, and a couch to crash on if you need somewhere to stay.

Although I hear more about parties, alcohol, boys, and swear words than I would ever want to know, I have found myself beginning to love them. I am beginning to understand the love Jesus has for those who are lost and hurting. It isn't until you know the loss that you can experience the love. These college kids need Jesus. All they want is a carefree life, to have fun, and be wanted. I'm not sure when or how they are going to figure out that Jesus is the ultimate lover, that He will throw them the best party, and that He will satisfy their lives. But i'm praying they do and God will use me to make that happen.

"Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world, both low and high rich and poor alike: My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the utterance from my heart will give understanding. I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle: Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me-- those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches? No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him-- the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough-- that he should live on forever and not see decay. For all can see that wise men die; the foolish and the senseless alike perish and leave their wealth to others. Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves. But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. Selah Like the sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will feed on them. The upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. Selah.." Psalm 49:1-15