Are You Ready for some FOOTBALL! Yes, it's pig's skin season again. For many of us, that means we're elbow-deep in a bag of chips and our eyes are glued to the TV for two days straight (or longer, if you count Sports Center replays).
While covering football for about two years, I was fascinated by how overly enthusiastic players were. Spitting profanities, slapping each other on the chest, back, neck and upside their helmets—all that for a first down. Sitting on the bench was their only depressor. No one wants to sit on the bench; every player wants to be in the game, not watching from the sidelines. Staring aimlessly at the field like a dazed puppy, these hefty barbarians ignite as soon as their coach turns and calls their name. "Get back out there!" That's how we should feel about returning to college.
God did not create you sit on the sidelines, watching as others dive for touch downs and fly into a sea of adoring fans. With God as your head coach, he has set up the quarterback to deliver a perfect pass to you.
Too Old To Score
You might think: "I'm too old to go back to college" and the devil would have to believe that silly lie, but as this article explains there is nothing to fear and, in fact there are benefits to returning to college as an older adult. When I began my graduate studies, I thought 26 was too old, but I found my classmates were even older. Gray-haired professionals, corporate executives and baby mamas were getting their degrees, too. These fathers, mothers and mothers-to-be rolled out of bed and drove past their homes in traffic to claim what was theirs. So can you! Excuses are for losers and fear that you've lost your mojo has you pinned to the bench.
My brother was valedictorian of his high school class, but having been out of the classroom for 15 years had hurt his confidence. He thought he would never catch up to his younger, seemingly smarter counterparts, but he was dead wrong! In fact, he quickly earned higher grades than everyone else and reclaimed his throne as an over-achiever. My brother researched extensively before enrolling in college, so that by the time classes started he had the mindset of an 'A' student once again.
So, you're only as old as you think. As the mind thinketh, so is he, remember?
Insecurities Lead to Fumbles
Have you ever seen a kicker freeze up? The pressure of a game-winning kick is so unsurmountable that a kick 45 yards away seems tougher at 20 yards, as the team's fate sails far wide of the goal posts. God opens windows of opportunity for us all the time, but we allow insecurities to freeze us. Rather than reap our academic blessings, we think: What if I don't get accepted? What if I'm just wasting my time? What if college's too hard for me? Those 'what if's' will make you drop the ball if you don't believe that God will cover you. Crosswalk.com's Whitney Hopler explores how Christians can Overcome Insecurity.
Galations 6: 4-5, which reads: "...then they can take pride in himself, without camparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load," reminds me of my two sorority sisters' journey toward their Masters degrees. Although they enrolled and attended the same university, they had different struggles. One attended college full-time while juggling other commitments, including a stressful full-time job. The other was forced to lessen her course load with online classes due to an unplanned pregnancy, but they both graduated. Everyone has struggles (and God knew you'd have them), but you must get in the inzone. As my sister said, she may not have been able to handle college and a baby, just as the other may not have juggled a full-time job with a full-time class schedule. Who cares how you finish once you do.
Good thing our team is fully equipped and stocked with everything you need to claim your college degree—a coach the works overtime, a play book and defenders, like me, who'll help block satan's plans.
How are you suiting up for the game of life? What insecurities are holding you back from a college degree?
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