Being in the World of Academia for Jesus... by Piper

Academics. In high school, I placed my identity in Academics. If I did not do so well on a test, my day was ruined and sometimes even my week. For the next month, I felt the pressure to do perfectly on every assignment possible. I was holding myself to unreasonable expectations.
 

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Academics. In high school, I placed my identity in Academics. If I did not do so well on a test, my day was ruined and sometimes even my week. For the next month, I felt the pressure to do perfectly on every assignment possible. I was holding myself to unreasonable expectations.

Also, my intentions for doing my school work were in the wrong place.
I wanted the approval of people around me. I would boast in my grades, not in Christ’s strength through my weaknesses (2 Corinthians 2:9).
 
I would halfway do my school work. I was so focused on obtaining the “A” that I would only do the amount of work that I knew was required for a low A. I did not even try to worship the Lord through my academics. My academics were a way of making me feel good about myself. They were an idol, something keeping me from fully pursuing the Lord.
 
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men”
-Colossians 3:23
 
Through my first few months of college, I have realized how to worship the Lord through Academics. I still struggle with not placing my identity in my grades, but I have learned a significant amount about how Academia can influence my relationship with the Lord.
 
The Lord is in every subject. Old Testament Literature. English. Foreign Languages. Chemistry. Even, Calculus. He has created it all, and He has blessed it by calling it  “good” (Genesis 1).
 
“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”
-Romans 1:20
 
In everything, the Lord can be clearly seen.
I now approach my classes eager to learn about the Lord through the subject. How did the Lord create my mind? How does the cycle of poverty affect those who are made in God’s image, and how does the Lord long for me to help? How does the Abrahamic Covenant display the nature of God? What does a derivative have to do with God’s creation?
 
With this mindset, I have realized that I care less about my grades.
As long as I do my best, I accept whatever grade I may earn. The focus of academics is about learning about who I am through Jesus Christ.
I have learned to worship the Lord through studying.
 
Academia is means through which I can grow in love for my Savior, Jesus Christ. 

It is not a way for me to gain approval from people. School is no longer a hindrance to my faith, but something that causes my faith to thrive.
 
Surrender to the Lord your academics.

Learn to bring Him glory through what He has created. 
​Be in awe of the one who made it all.
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