the grip that cannot be loosened

Maltbie D. Babcock once wrote:

One of the most common mistakes and one of the costliest, is thinking that success is due to some genius, some magic something or other which we do not possess. Success is generally due to holding on and failure to let go. You decide to learn a language, study music, take a course in reading, train yourself physically. Will it be a success or failure? It depends upon how much pluck and perseverance that word "decide" contains. The decision that nothing will overrule, the grip that nothing can detach will bring success.

Fall is the beginning of many new commitments. We resolve to "win state" in our football teams, we decide this will be the best year yet in school—you'll be popular, you'll make good grades, you'll have your top choice for home room, you'll have a date to prom that you actually like. It's an exciting time. While around us leaves are falling and nature is cleaning house in order to prepare for spring, we are beginning a new chapter in our social, athletic and academic lives.

But a commitment is more than starting a sentance with "I will. . ." or "I am. . ." Just as a marriage commitment does not end at the altar when the bride and groom say, "I do" neither do any of the other commitments one makes in life. Anytime you make a commitment you can be rest assured it will be tested.

I hope one of your commitments this year is to live as an example of Christ in your schools, putting others first as we practised at Youniversity.

You will experience three tests regardless of what your commitment is:

1. You will experience failure.
Most, if not all, of the heroes in our lives have experienced failure or major setbacks on their way to attaining goals. It is a guarantee and part of the process of tempering your character to be able to achieve the goals you set.

After each failure, you have to pick yourself up and continue. The great thing is you are not alone. If you are living in God's Will for your life. He will be there to help you up, dust you off and encourage you. Even if you are NOT doing God's will, he is still there ready to forgive you and guide you back to the right path. But you have to do your part—you have to get back up.

2. Having to stand alone.
This point is nothing new to a Christian. We often have to stand apart from our fellow classmates and teammates because we have made the commitment to live in Christ instead of living in the world. Sometimes, even our Christian friends and family may unintentionally be distracting us from the goals we have set. Ask yourself, "Who am I trying to please?" If your answer is "My parents", "my coach", "my best friend", "my boyfriend/girlfriend", "my teachers", "Todd", whomever, if it is not "God" then you need to reevaluate your priorities.

3. Facing Deep Disappointment
Wow, if anyone knows about this one it is me! In the last ten years I have had alot of things go wrong in my life. Some of them I could not control, alot of them I could but made bad choices (see #2 - my biggie: trying to please my bosses and my father). Sometimes the pain can be so great in life that you want to give up. Sometimes we are attacked by our fellow Christians. They too struggle with walking "in Christ" and occasionally their human natures take over causing deep pain and misery to people who trusted them. As rough as life gets, we have to remain focused on our commitments, specifically our commitment to live in Christ. Because if we believe that in Christ "to die is gain" then the rough patches in life, though painful and exhausting spiritually and mentally, will pass away. They are as temporal as our life here on earth is.

I know, I know, that doesn't make it any easier right now, but lean on Christ during the disappointments in life. Meditate on God's Word, especially the Psalms - David was a very human man who experienced some ultimate highs and lows in his life and he wrote some beautiful poetry recording these events that apply to what you and I experience today. Lately, God has been bringing to my mind Psalm 130 and Psalm 57.

I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. (Ps 57: 1b)

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His Word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning. (Ps. 130)

I encourage you to spend some time with God evaluating your commitments for the new school year. Write them down and post them on your bathroom mirror where you can see them every morning and evening. Share them with your accountability partner. Most of all discuss them with God: "Are these the commitments you want me to focus on?" "Am I honoring you in these commitments?" "Am I trying to please you in these commitments or someone else?"

And remember, through failures and deep disappointments, when you feel that you are completely, utterly alone: God is there. He loves you with an abiding love and supports you in his everlasting arms. And we, at Axis, love you too. We greatly desire to encourage you and give you the tools to help you see you achieve your goals. If ever you need support whether just to talk to us or to seek out guidance or you need prayer, please come see us. We love you and pray for you daily. You are a vital part of the body of Christ!