College Life Growth

Finish It

“Your resolution to succeed is more important than anything else.”—Abraham Lincoln

As we near the end of the semester, it can be tempting to slack off.  We only have a few days of school left and it can be very enticing to go into “cruise control,” right?  I know I’m guilty of it.

I like to compare college to a marathon.  Like any marathon, you have to pace yourself.  It does not necessarily matter how fast you start—it’s how you finish.  That’s what matters most.

This summer I had the opportunity to be a groomsman in one of my best friend’s weddings.  The wedding was one of the most beautiful events I have ever been a part of, and I will undoubtedly remember it for the rest of my life.  But the most unique part about the wedding?  It was the 5k race that we ran the MORNING OF.

You heard me right.  Team Groom raced against Team Bride on the morning of the wedding.  Now I don’t consider myself to be any kind of a cross-country runner, so I had to psyche myself up for this race.  Besides, we couldn’t lose to the girls, right?

Well, we lost.  One of the girls happened to beat all of us pretty easily. Although that was embarrassing, my out-of-shape-ness was even more embarrassing.  While I was running the race, I told myself to just keep breathing.  It helped if I focused on every step and every breath.  Occasionally I would look into the distance to see how much farther I had to go, but it was less painful when I concentrated on the current step I was taking.

And that’s how life is, right?  College is the same way.  The future comes one day at a time, so isn’t that the best way to approach the future?  Take it a day at a time.

Like that race, we should take every step as seriously as the next.  It’s okay to look into the distance to see what the future holds, but don’t slack off!  If you concentrate on the tasks at hand, you’ll find that the extra focus allows you to tackle life one day at a time.  Things tend to take care of themselves when you handle everything that you have to do today—today.

I know Christmas is almost here—and I’m sure you guys can’t wait to go home.  But you’ve come so far!  Don’t give up now.  Take these last few weeks as seriously as the first.  The finish line is in sight—so run for it as hard as you can!

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” –Philippians 3:14

You’ve been called to school for a reason, so resolve in your heart and mind to make this semester a success.  You’ve started it, you’ve run this far.  Now finish it.

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The thoughts and opinions expressed in Life in the Nest are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Pensacola Christian College.

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Major History and English double major

From Washington, DC

View all posts by Justin

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