April. Wait, April? It still shocks me at how fast this year is passing by! When I was moving my things on campus in August, I could have never imagined what God had planned for me during this spring season.
Springtime on the ACU campus is extremely evident: engagement rings are on a countless number of fingers, birds are beginning to migrate in to fill the campus air with chirping, sweaters and jackets are now being tucked away in the closet, and many students are making summer plans. When you look at it from a bird’s eye view, everything seems like it is so great.
However, I’d like for you to take a minute to zoom in your camera lenses on the faces of those with red, itchy eyes, picking up a tissue every few minutes to helplessly blow their nose, knowing full well that there is no way it will help their stuffiness. Some people may call these “allergies,” but I prefer the term curveballs.
Everyone has encountered a curveball. Whether it puts you a little off path or completely twists your life around, let’s admit it: they are no fun.
Do you remember what you are like right before a curveball hits? Armed. Ready. You know exactly who you are. You know exactly what you want to accomplish. You have your lists, your plans, your expectations, and your dreams. Then comes the curveball, stealing every ounce of certainty you once held. Your heart beats faster, the room begins to spin, and you lose control.
Isn’t that scary: losing control? Not knowing what exactly will come next? Whether it be where your next paycheck is coming, or how you are going to feed your family, or what major you wish to pursue, or even how you will be able to overcome the loss of a loved one.
Recently, I have encountered a few curveballs myself. Ones that wake me up from my spring frolic and remind me that God still has a plan for me, and that I still need to daily pursue Him in order for His dreams for me to come true.
Forget you, curveballs.
How do you deal with it? Do you react, swinging rapidly with all your strength in hope that a sliver of the bat will touch the ball? Or do you respond? Do you let the inevitable come toward you and give you a strike, wait for the pitcher to hurl the next ball, take a deep breath in, and get ready to hit a home run?
If I am to be honest, I’m the kind of person that swings rapidly. “Maybe, just maybe I’ll hit it!” I think. But I never do hit it. If anything, I miss by a long shot, and I let those allergies keep me in bed until the pollen settles down.
I think God lets some things affect us, showing us that in the middle of it all, He calls us back to focus our eyes on Him, and helps us hit a home run.
At church a few months ago, the pastor mentioned a very clever approach to curve balls.“When you have a set back, take a step back, reevaluate your situation, and make a come back.”
I urge you all to seek God in the midst of the sniffles that throw off your spring. Even when it seems like there cannot be enough tissues in the world, remember to focus on the one who gave you your nose in the first place.
“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:6.