Exams and Jesus

It's that time of year again! You know, where every college student complains on their Twitter or Facebook accounts about how they aren't going to survive and how much work they have to do (as if they are the only ones who have a lot to do). But in all seriousness, it can be pretty humorous to read what everyone has to say. And it reminds me many times of the Christian walk; where we set out to do something God has lead us to do, we know to expect difficulties along the way, the difficulties come, and then we complain and even turn back because of them.

As college students, we attend upper level schooling in the hopes of earning a degree of some kind. We know full well that it will take time, effort, and money (a lot of money!). We know that final exams will come every semester, and that they are never fun. Not only that, but we are essentially paying to take them. So it's funny, it is funny to see everyone complaining in such a way that would make you think that we were all surprised at the amount of work we have to do.

But this is what happens when we set out to accomplish any dream or desire that God may give us. We know to expect temptations and trials and hardships from Satan. And we become so upset, usually angered at God, and many times give up. We can't believe God would allow His desire for us to be interrupted. Often, our frustrations stem from our own ignorance, our failure to really understand that difficulties will come. So instead of working through and overcoming them, we tell the world that we can't do it anymore. The point of our trials is to mature us and build up our faith. You can't get an A without persevering through the work load, and you can't achieve your dream without persevering through the trials.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
-James 1:2-4