The Erskine Bubble

Call Erskine what you like, but I’m gonna keep it real. Erskine is a bubble.

It’s not a bad thing. It’s just that at times I feel I don’t really know too much about what’s going on in the world around me while I’m trying my best to focus on homework, quizzes, tests, recitals, programs, social events, etc. It’s easy to get caught up in the college life and forget that there is this place called “the real world” out there and that one day we’re going to have to graduate (gasp!) and actually get a “real” job (bigger gasp!) and … I cringe at the mere thought of this next phrase … pay bills, with our OWN money (yikes!).  Indeed, college is a protected haven of sorts thats sole purpose is to equip us with knowledge and develop us as whole persons. I think the beauty of a liberal arts education like the one we get at Erskine is that we are constantly encouraged to be aware of the world around us. Even though I’m a news junkie, some days it is hard to keep up with everything going on in the world outside of Erskine. For example, take the past co
uple of weeks alone, so much has occurred: earthquake and tsunami in Japan, attacks in Libya, Chris Brown’s outburst on Good Morning America, unrest in Yemen, flooding in Australia, and the list goes on and on.

I’m sitting here catching up on what’s been happening these past couple of months and my mind can’t help but think about the condition our world is in right now. It’s a shocking reminder of reality and how two years from now, I’m going to be out in that crazy world on my own. I won’t be surrounded by fellow classmates who actually care about me, or teachers who want to see me succeed, or parents who consistently support and encourage me. No, it’s just going to be me and God and eventually the new friendships I make along the way.

But the beauty of the future is that God’s already got it all figured out. I like to know everything ahead of time but I couldn’t see the earthquake in Japan coming and the fact that I have family near there really had me freaked out for a moment. But I was so graciously reminded that God is control. The world has seen chaos, is seeing chaos, and will continue to see chaos, but through it all God is constant. I’m no longer freaked out about how the world’s going to end or what kind of job I’m going to have or who I’m going to marry, because at the end of the day God’s already got it planned out and He’s willing to reveal His plan to me if I just ask and be patient.

Natural disasters are going to occur, countries are going to disagree and enter into battle, celebrities are going to have their hissy fits on national television, but just because the world around us seems to be falling apart, doesn’t mean our God is any less faithful or just than He was at the beginning of time. He is simply setting things up for His second coming.

Just remember: “…in this world you may have tribulation, but take heart, Christ has overcome the world!” (John 16:33)