Journaling Exercises: Senior Year
Luke 12:22-34
Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well."
What Are Your Ambitions?
"Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you believe that you too can become great."
– Mark Twain
Ambition is the force driving us to reach our dreams, yet sometimes others can affect our ambition by questioning the choices or dreams we seek to achieve. Sometimes we can affect our own ambitions by talking ourselves out of our dreams and by thinking that we're not smart, talented, or giving enough.
Think of someone, great or small, who achieved a goal or dream because of his or her ambition, and despite setbacks or criticism, remained focused on achieving that dream. If you could sit down with this person for a cup of coffee, what questions would you ask them? What advice would you seek?
Where Will You Be?
Write a fictional account of what your life will be six months after you graduate from APU. What three principles or influential ideas have you learned here at APU? How do you think you will apply these ideas to your life once you have graduated?
Vocation as Ministry
How do you see your life and the choices you make as a ministry?
Strengths Reflection
Does knowing your strengths change your view of purpose or does it enhance it? How can you become a leader by using your strengths? How can you relate your strengths to where you feel God is calling you?
The Office of Career Services offers the StrengthsQuest inventory and results can be discussed with a career counselor.
Stepping Out
As senior year progresses, you might begin to start thinking about life after graduation. Where are you supposed to go? What are you supposed to be doing? This is the time to lean on the Lord, draw near to Him, allow Him to speak to you. Don’t worry about planning out the next five years of your life, simply trust God and allow Him to show you just enough light to see the foot in front of you. Always be willing.
"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."
– Martin Luther King Jr.
Giving God Glory
After graduation it might take some time to land your dream job. Don’t become discouraged, life is a journey, and every piece will be used to accomplish the Lord’s will for your life. Everything you do is an opportunity to give God the glory.
"It is not only prayer that gives God glory but work. Smiting on an anvil, sawing a beam, whitewashing a wall, driving horses, sweeping, scouring, everything gives God glory if being in his grace you do it as your duty. To go to Communion worthily gives God great glory, but a man with a dung fork in his hand, a woman with a slop pail, give him glory too. He is so great that all things give him glory if you mean they should."
– Gerard Manley Hopkins, "The Principle or Foundation"
