An Exhausted Dryer
A few semesters ago, we had a dryer in the girls’ dorm that wouldn’t accept coins but would still run if ‘start’ was pressed. Because of this mechanical glitch (aka a poor college student’s saving grace), that dryer was in high demand. Someone would finish a load, and minutes later the dryer would be running again. It was literally a never-ending cycle for the dryer.
I don’t know about you, but I most definitely feel like that dryer. I’m especially feeling it at this point in the semester. We have a month of school left, but that’s not enough time because it’s just go-go-go until Wednesday of finals’ week.
We have tests on top of assignments on top of presentations on top of more tests, plus that group project that nobody wants to do but is necessary for a reason beyond understanding. Every time we think the cycle is over, another one begins, and soon enough it’s load after load, leaving us exhausted and overheated.
Yesterday, I experienced my own set of frustrations in relation to deadlines and technology. I interviewed Pastor Rich for my next article and we were able to talk for 20 minutes while I recorded the conversation.
That night, when I sat down to write, the interview was gone. I had limited time to get the article in, and I didn’t even have the interview. After doing everything I could, I broke down.
I felt defeated and at my wit’s end. It was gone.
This morning, I reflected on the experience: my feelings then, my reaction, and what I can do now, with a clear mind. Then something popped into my mind. During the interview, Pastor Rich talked about his devotion to setting aside time to memorize and meditate on scripture.
He stated that he has experienced only positive change from this small adjustment he made to his life. His methods are simple: he reads the scripture, commits quiet time to it, and truly meditates on it. He mulls it over in his mind in the quiet. No music, no noise, it’s just him pondering the scripture, questioning the passage and looking at it from different perspectives.
He talked about the peace he has in his life and decisions, as well as how he is training and stretching his brain every day. He exercises his spiritual body daily, just as we understand Jesus did.
The stress of the semester may be getting to you, but spending time stretching and exercising your spiritual body is vital! And it doesn’t have to be difficult or elaborate, just sincere. So maybe today, you can join me and Pastor Rich as we spend quiet time in the Word, and reflect on the words on the page in front of you. I think you can spare ten minutes, because how else is a sinner supposed to find their Maker?
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt. 6:33)
“[Blessed is the one] whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.” (Ps. 1:2)
“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.” (Ps. 62:1)
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (Mark 1:35)
Kasondra Reel is a senior studying nursing.