Josiah Road

Roommate Wars

posted by Jonathan Frank 10Nov

As my first semester of school at Tennessee Tech University draws to a close, I continue to learn new things about managing this whole concept called “college.” One new realization being that there is no “busy work” to boost your grade. The format in all of my classes is three tests and a final. The days of easy “worksheets” and “homework grades” or my favorite—the “attendance grade,” that some teachers gave just for showing up, are gone. Another thing I’ve learned is that even if you’re a fairly organized and successful student, there will inevitably be those occasions where you are up all night working on a paper or studying for a test. Such was the case with me last week. Except our library closes at midnight, so where was I until 4:30 in the morning the next day? Big O’s Donuts (the only place open twenty-four hours in a five-mile radius) where I worked on an essay for my British Literature class and chilled with all of the police officers on break getting their jelly-filled donuts and coffee.

But perhaps the hardest thing for me to get used to has been the idea of living in a tight space with two other people. Now don’t get me wrong, my roommates and I get along great, but no matter who your roommates are, it’s going to take some getting used to. And it starts with being willing to relinquish control. Because the people I live with are going to do some things differently, and I won’t always have it my way. I’m a news buff, whereas my roommates are addicted to X-Box live and Cartoon Network. I go to bed early for my 9 AM classes, and they are night owls. You get the idea.

Just as giving up constant control was essential in my relationship with my roommates, that is also what I have to do in my relationship with Christ. And it is a daily decision I must make- to completely surrender control, telling God “Not my way but yours” because I know that His plans are perfect. But how often do I really do that? –Seldom at best. What I often neglect to realize in my life is that when I asked Jesus to come and live in my heart, I didn’t just receive a Savior, but also a Lord- to guide my actions and choices, and direct the path for my life.

My prayer for my life today is that I would listen to the words of the Apostle Paul when he warns “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17)