Editorial: Reflections on a Wacky Semester
This morning – the last Friday of finals week – I finished my philosophy exam. I turned in my last assignment of fall 2023. Of course I’m happy to be done, but I’m learning that one of my toxic traits is being really stressed out during the semester and then a little bored and sad when it’s over. Is being in school my whole personality now? TBD.
In so many ways, this semester was absolutely insane. My car died hours from anyone I know in mid-October. I had a different car by Thanksgiving. The mixture of classes I picked didn’t mesh very well. Men continue to be confusing. Family and friends across the country have been dealing with sickness, pain, and transition. I felt pulled in so many directions. Even if I could bring specific petitions to the Lord 24/7, it felt like insufficient time to be the prayer warrior I kept telling people I would be.
Even in the midst of the crazy, though, there were really good things. I didn’t prioritize friendships like I should, but I had such precious moments with my buddies at various points. My intramural volleyball team won the championship! Every Tuesday, we watched Avatar: The Last Airbender. I think my Achilles tendonitis is starting to heal. My little brother got engaged. Even though a new (to me) car comes with complications, it was such a blessing to land a good one in such a short amount of time.
I’ve always thought the mixture of Advent and finals season was interesting. Just as we are anticipating the arrival of Emmanuel, we are awaiting the blessed day when the last paper is finally complete. We ponder the second coming of Christ in light of the first while we also think through how we’re ever going to get everything done. But then, against all odds: Emmanuel comes! Finals finish!
Perhaps the stress of finals season makes Advent even starker. We find ourselves longing for something more. In the middle of the fray, it’s easy to lose sight of why we came to seminary in the first place. However, it doesn’t take long after turning in the last assignment to feel the spirit of Christmastide: there is a purpose for the struggle, after all. God is so, so good.
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