If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there! What's your major? Undecided? Welcome aboard and join thousands of other students just like yourself.
Now, it's not bad being undecided. By all means, pick and choose what you'd like to learn more about, what you enjoy, or what you're gifted in. But, by the time you've accumulated 119 credits, the old "Undecided" tag just doesn't go over too well with Mom and Dad (especially if they're the primary funding source for your educational experience!).
Sometime during your third year of university, you will begin to field the most fear- provoking question ever asked of you: "What are you going to do when you graduate?"
With very little practice, you will begin to articulate the obvious yet timeless response: "I want to get a job where I can work with people." Good for you! Well thought out answer! What a goal!
Think briefly about your current goals. Can you clearly articulate them? Will achieving your goals bring a true sense of satisfaction and fulfillment?
It's possible to successfully achieve all of your goals and still not have meaning in life. There's a major difference between succeeding at school and truly succeeding in life.
Also, it's crucial to look beyond your goals for your time in post secondary school (which you'll only have for four to six years) and examine your purpose in life (which you'll have for a lifetime).
When you look, what do you see? You may find that you are going through life wondering what it's all about or wondering what will provide you with lasting fulfillment during college/university and beyond. (Believe it or not, there is life after college!).
Most students pursue goals for success rather than pursuing purpose. For one reason, it's much easier. Most of us have been urged to fulfill goals since we were children - learn to tap dance, get an "A" in algebra, make the team, make the cheerleading squad. Many of us have achieved quite a lot.
But while most students have and achieve goals, hardly anyone has purpose.
You see, goals are objectives we achieve. But purpose answers the questions: "Why am I here?" and "Where am I going?"
Without purpose, how can anyone know if he or she has meaningful goals or meaningless goals, mediocre goals or the best goals? Jobs and values do not produce purpose; rather, purpose helps form our careers and values.
Interestingly enough, an old ancient book called the Bible talks a lot about purpose. It says "God causes all things to work together for those who love God, and to those who are called according to His purpose."
Jesus Christ spoke frequently about his purpose. In fact, a relationship with him allows us to experience real purpose in our life. He can come to live within us and provide us with purpose for living. You may measure success by what you do, but Jesus measures success by who you are.
Jesus comes into our lives if we ask him, but not as a religious icon. He is the one who created us and cares uniquely for you and me, and he understands what will fulfill us.
Not only does he impart true and lasting purpose, but he gives us power for living life and fulfilling that purpose, and connects us to true satisfaction.
Consider Christ. In him, you can find real purpose and new life. There's no one else like him!
Copyright WSN Press, Campus Crusade for Christ, Inc., 1997-2001. Used by permission of WSN Press and Campus Crusade for Christ. All rights reserved. WSN Press, Campus Crusade for Christ--2500, 100 Lake Hart Dr., Orlando, FL 32832 USA.
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