I was asked by my Honors mentor group to write a 250 word response to Danielle Sallade's essay "Human Flourishing" following the prompt "Sallade talks about students feeling the need to control every aspect of their lives and future. Discuss whether or not control is a good thing. Furthermore, discuss whether the lives and lifestyles that Sallade describes (and we often live) are actually Biblical. Explore a few key concepts in the text such as busyness, accomplishment, value, success, rest, work etc., and deeply evaluate your personal position on these things."
I am REALLY hoping that the "250" word count is a MINIMUM. Because this got really long...
Let me start out by saying that I thoroughly enjoyed reading Sallade’s article because it is so relevant to my life and the lives of everyone around me, and I had never thought of anything like it before. I’m not sure I fit quite into the standard model of a college student Sallade paints, as I am not working toward a specific job goal or resume but rather hoping to get an education in what interests me. However despite this difference her words are still extremely meaningful. Our goals should not be to do schoolwork just to get it done, but to do it for the glory of God and to honor the fact that He has allowed us and empowered us to do it. I had never thought of Sabbath keeping the way Sallade describes it – I had always thought of it as one more part of the ‘old covenant’ that Christ fulfilled. However the Sabbath that Sallade describes is what I believe the original Sabbath was meant to be, and it is a beautiful image. (Of course it is, God made it!) The ability to fully and truly rest in the knowledge that God is in control and that He will provide no matter what, and His will will be done is truly astonishing.
Now onto answering the question of control! (worst transition EVER.)
I believe that control of one’s own life is, on one hand, needed. Or at least the illusion of control is. To feel that the external world has complete control over one’s life is a not only depressing but nearly debilitating thought. However the one exception to this rule comes through the power of God. The one thing that brings greater peace to the mind than having full control of one’s own life comes in the most unexpected place: by giving it away. But not just to anyone: Only by giving the control of one’s life away to God. And this really is not the most unexpected place after all; it is rather the place we should expect the most. For God is sovereign and reigns over all. Why on earth should we trust ourselves to control our lives better than He? The saying goes that “No one knows what is best for you better than yourself”. While this may be true in the realm of economics, the one exception is God who knows better than anyone ever could.
Overall I think that Sallade’s view of work and life are extremely Biblical – much more so than most people can live up to. It is a very hard thing to change one’s entire view of something as every day and in-ground into the public mind as work, success, value, and rest, but this essay presents some of the best views I have ever heard on such topics and I hope to be able to apply it in my life.
Well that was around 485 words... I hope that's ok. As you can tell I really loved the essay. If you have not read it yet, please do!
Kel
