Consumed

Being an architecture student I often find myself not having time for anything else. During crit week I barely have time to shower, let alone see friends! Over the past four years of studying I’ve found that it’s so easy to lose track of what’s truly important...family, friends and most of all one’s relationship with Jesus. How many times have you heard the phrase “life got in the way”? It’s so easy to get consumed by something and in my case it’s ALWAYS work.

One of the biggest battles I face on a daily basis is giving over all my burdens to Jesus. Throughout scripture we see how good and trustworthy God is. The Bible is filled with commands not to worry...and yet I still do...why!? It can get so frustrating, as I often find myself reading encouraging verses and feeling at peace only for “life to get in the way” and then feeling anxious...worried about the copious amounts of work I have to get through.

I must admit though, as I read scripture more often, and my relationship with God strengthens, I have found it much easier to deal with anxiety. Matthew 6:25-27 says “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”.

A major problem that I have found is the fact that the majority of people studying architecture throw themselves completely into their work. Architecture is honestly our lives...(I must include myself in this, because up until recently, it really has been). I used to feel so guilty for spending a night at Bible Study or giving up a whole Sunday, as I knew that many of my colleagues would be working...I couldn’t fall behind...I just couldn’t!

A life without a relationship with God however, is not a fulfilling one...no matter how well your work is going.

A few months ago I came across a well known story:

An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked.  Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna.  The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The Mexican replied, "only a little while."

The American then asked why didn't he stay out longer and catch more fish?

The Mexican said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs.

The American then asked, "but what do you do with the rest of your time?"

The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siestas with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine, and play guitar with my amigos.  I have a full and busy life."

The American scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and could help you.  You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat.  With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats.  Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery.  You would control the product, processing, and distribution.  You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually New York City, where you will run your expanding enterprise."

The Mexican fisherman asked, "But, how long will this all take?"

To which the American replied, "15 - 20 years."

"But what then?" Asked the Mexican.

The American laughed and said, "That's the best part.  When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions!"

"Millions - then what?"

The American said, "Then you would retire.  Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos."

Reading this story hit me hard...why do I sacrifice so much for my work. Why do I climb into my little cave and block out the world until my work is done, only to have two weeks of free time before the cycle repeats itself? There has to be another way....there has to be!

A few months ago I said enough is enough and I made more time for my family, friends, hobbies, but more importantly, I made more time for God. It was the greatest period I’ve had in ages! I felt so at peace...and do you want to know the weirdest thing? The marks I got were the best I’ve received all year!!

The lessons I’ve learned are: 1) Put God above EVERYTHING else...He always has your back. 2) Cast all your burdens onto Him, no matter how difficult it may be. 3) Make time for your friends. Don’t lose your mates because you’ve neglected them...you can’t watch a soccer match with “work”, you can’t grab a drink with “work”, your “work” won’t be there to console you in tough times....don’t make it your everything! 4) The world is a BIIIG place! Who knows what God wants you to do, and where! I’ve spoken to so many people who aren’t even doing anything related to what they studied!

Trust God....He knows what’s best for you.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Peace and Love everybody

A