The Good Fight

School is underway.  There is only one class yet to attend - and that is tonight - my Biology Lab.  I have went to Algebra, I have visited and posted on my Social Ethics class, I have fearfully read over most of the material for my Biology class, now Biology Lab tonight will allow me to fully realize my load.

For me, as a woman, there are some things I just can't do.  I can't fix a car or lift a heavy piece of furniture.  When I don't have the physical strength of someone else (or my husband), it's okay with me.  If I need help with something, I happily ask.  I don't feel bad that God didn't make me stronger than I am - I accept that.

Then there is college. I feel the pressure of having these classes - and all that comes with them. As I skim over my 1300 page Biology book, and wonder, "How will I ever remember all this stuff?!" I wonder how I can ever do it.   It doesn't feel like I am strong enough or smart enough. I am afraid to fail.  No one else can do this for me.  I can't have assistance remembering and recalling for tests.  No one can read it all for me, or do the Algebra problems for me.  It's all on me - it feels.  And that feels scary.

And then my sister in law reminds me of the verse I know all too well - but was forgetting to apply -

"I can do ALL things through Him who gives me the strength."  Phil. 4:13

There is another scripture I am holding onto during these college days -

"The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it."  1 Thessalonians 5:24

The other day at school, I was waiting in line to speak to someone and I glanced into a classroom, and there on the chalkboard was a scripture.  I actually couldn't believe it was there - on a college board.  I was staring at it, reading it over and over as 2 teachers approached the one teacher in that classroom. They noticed it right away and asked who wrote it.  The woman said, "Someone wrote it at the end of last semester - and no one has erased it.  I am just curious to see how long it will stay up."  It said -

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."  2 Tim. 4:7

Oh how I want that to be said of me.  How easy I find myself overwhelmed.  I forget to look back and see how faithful God has already been in my life.  In my own strength - I am weak.  When I feel I can't do it all alone - I must remember I am not alone.  I can do none of it without Him anyway.