I did it because it was considered a right of passage. Also, finding out that I was officially a registered nurse that same morning put me up to the long day.
Now that I am a married woman, left the nest, and have my own job
In a nutshell, I was a first generation college student, daughter to loving immigrant parents; figured out the educational system pretty much by myself, and got into nursing school.
I started out at a local community college where I was part of the Puente Project. This program completely changed my life and helped me realize my potential and passion. Through this program I did a lot. While I was club president we earned enough money to take a trip to Southern California to look at Universities; we tutored students who were learning English, earned money for Japan after the earthquake, and much more. Even after my days in the program were over, I was asked to be the keynote speaker at some of their events. (It's actually interesting being able to see these old blog posts.)
Then I was accepted into a very competitive nursing program. So through most of my schooling I was proud of myself, but not in a "I did this myself" type of pride, because I could see Gods hand in every step of the way.
A quick example of this is when I asked God to allow me to get into a nursing school in the Bay Area so I wouldn't have to move away, and it happened. I'm sure there are many individuals as I, who have sought God in all paths and have prospered, but that is not to be misinterpreted to let pride swell.
As I was getting closer to completing my nursing degree, and didn't have as much time to do community service. I started noticing the flaw, the danger in glorification, if I may call that, outside of the church.
Recognition, or too much recognition, feeds the self, the ego. During the most invigorating parts of college, I was always tempted (if that's the right word to use) to do more outside of the church. To make this world better. I'm not saying that it's bad, but anything that takes God and his kingdom off of the #1 spot in your life, is not conducive spiritually.
Thankfully, God was always tugging at my heart and letting me know what way to go.
I remember turning down a leadership camp to go to Pacific Coast Camp - it hurt.
It hurt this ego of mine! The ego that you have too. Yes you, whoever you are, you have an ego too. What I mean is that you have a fleshly body that loves to be lifted up.
A flesh that has pride. That loves to say - "look what I did"...
"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust
of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the
world." 1 John 2:6
The older I get, and the longer I walk with Jesus and strive to get closer to Him. The less the cares of this world matter. It's crazy how you could be so passionate about something (mine was serving undeserved populations), and the next thing you know, winning their souls matters more...
I really don't know how to end this post, so I guess I'll just end it by saying that the danger of allowing ourselves to be boasted up in our own wordly accomplishments lies in everything, not only in education. But young people are specifically susceptible in my option.
As for me, I thank God that He knows the innermost parts of my heart and knows what is best for me. After all, he did move me from the all-mighty Bay Area to the alien town of Roswell, New Mexico!
But I guess that's a post for another time. :)
"For
what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his
own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:26
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