FINALLY. The semester is over, we can breathe, and we’re away from all things that give us stress.

Or are we?

Throughout the semester, we studied the life of David through the writings of Samuel. We heard the good, bad, and ugly – stories of developing valuable friendships, giving in to temptations, and covering up mistakes with lies and desperate attempts to save face.

We tend to go through life thinking that if we just pass this one thing, everything else will be smooth sailing. Just reach the next checkpoint, the next difficult task. Or if we can cover up that one thing, all will be fine! But this isn’t how life works. We are guaranteed to face more and more challenges and consequences for our actions until we leave Earth.

But this shouldn’t be discouraging.

This would be discouraging if we didn’t have a Savior. But since Jesus has given himself to each of us as a gift, we are armed with more than we could ever ask for. Consider this: we cannot hide from our problems, as much as we think we can. God lays things on our hearts that we never expect him to. We cannot grow without addressing things that we struggle with. David learned this the hard way when he tried to cover up his adultery by getting Uriah to come home and sleep with his wife so it would seem that Bathsheba’s pregnancy was because of her husband, Uriah.

David gets through his life by being vulnerable and singing God’s praises.

Psalm 34 – I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.

On surface level, this Psalm may seem (among others) that it was exclaimed when everything was going well. David’s life was broken, just like all of ours, but if we are real with ourselves and our Savior, we have all the tools we need to embrace our failures instead of hiding from them.

Another important thing to remember is that being vulnerable does not just involve being real with those around you – it involves being real with yourself, too. As said in Lamentations 3:40, “Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!”

David’s struggle was raw and his story was human. He was nowhere near perfect, as none of us are expected to be. The most stimulating part of David’s story was not the list of his wrongdoings, but his reliance on God in all situations. This is how we show resilience. Consider the role Jesus can play in your lives as you reflect on your semester and go into the new year, embracing your own humanity and loving others fully as a direct result. Here’s to a refreshing start to 2018 with Jesus right by our sides.

Haley Welch, Impact Student President

If you think we have nothing to learn from the Old Testament, you are missing some really important stuff.

Lately, my church has been studying the kings of Israel, and there are some sinful, self-centered people on that throne. God never wanted Israel to have a king, though. The people begged for one, even though God warned them that a king would oppress the people (1 Samuel 8).

It isn’t until much later that the people realize their mistake. They faithfully follow their first king Saul into battles and create monuments to him. Samuel, their former judge, recognizes Saul’s secret wickedness and tries one last time to show the people their mistake. In the middle of the driest time of the year, he calls on God to bring thunder and rain (1 Samuel 12).

Finally, the people repent, and Samuel has an amazing response:

“Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.” (1 Samuel 12:20-25)

What a powerful warning! This is an important reminder for anyone who claims to follow God. There are two really important facts we need to understand before we can apply this, though:

1. It’s not about us, it’s about him.

2. He makes much of us, but only for him.

Samuel says that God will not leave his people, because it would go against the promises he made to his people, the people whom he chose because they pleased him. They exist “for his great name’s sake.” We, by extension as Christians, exist for him, not him for us.

Samuel also isn’t afraid to tell the people they’ve done wrong. There is no “it’s okay, we all make mistakes.” He warns that wickedness will lead to destruction. More than that, he gives them the formula for avoiding wickedness: turn away from evil and serve God with all your being. Easy to say, very hard to do. 

How do we avoid evil and stay focused on God? Samuel warns to stay away from the “empty things that cannot profit or deliver,” and instead focus on what God has done for us. He created us to be in community with him. He saved us when our human natures condemned us to death. He gives us the wisdom and power to do the work he calls us to. What is there that could draw us away from him?

Unfortunately, I know how easy it is to get distracted. So, like Samuel, I will do my best to pray ceaselessly for you, and I hope you will do the same. As Jesus, our righteous and eternal kind, said,

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Kaitlin Silvey, Impact at IUPUI Student President