Where is God in the picture?

It has been quite a while since I started university all over again for the fourth time, and for the final time hopefully... Some how this year seem to be different from the previous years. On one hand it is my last year, so I guess it’s like the finishing the last lap of a race, giving it all you have. Also there is much more at stake, the hopes of having to achieve decent results this year and also the possibility to have to look for a job when I graduate. So I guess you could say i am in some sort of a trying period where I am hoping to keep my head above waters before I get swept away by waves of responsibilities and uncertainty.

Just recently, I attended a careers talk organized by Shell. It wasn't my first time being in these kind of career gatherings, but this time it got me thinking. Being in the final year of my university education, it is no surprise that I found the talk very informative and helpful. Just as I was considering my future as to where I might be working after I graduate, I looked around and realize that everyone gathered in the room that day had a common goal, and that was to hopefully be a potential employee of Shell. Most of them dressed in a rather formal manner just to make a good impression.

No doubt to apply for such a reputable company like Shell, it requires a lot of effort in preparing yourself to meet their requirements and making yourself shine among the other applicants. However, as I was sitting down listening to the rest of the talk, I kept thinking to myself, that if so much needs to be accomplished in order to get a good employment, it must be really worth one's while, seeing that so many people are putting so much effort into it. Or is it really?

I see why getting a good job is important, because it does give us some sense of security to our future. However, when I see how much emphasis the world has put on getting a good career, I begin wonder where is God in the picture? Have the need to secure our own future blinded us towards the one who determines our future? If so many of us can spend innumerable hours working towards filling in a piece of paper stating our achievements just to sell ourselves in an interview. I wonder why there are only so few who are able to turn to God who loves us just the way we are. If so many of us can spend so much time in making sure we pick the right choice of companies. I wonder why only few find the time to make the simple choice of believing in God.

The world may seem to be very successful in promoting the way to a successful future. However, I believe there is only so much I can do in securing my future, beyond that I can only leave to the one who holds my future. The hymn writer was right when he wrote: "Because He lives I can face tomorrow, Because He lives all fear is gone, Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth living just because He lives."

And to sum it all up: "Only one life, it will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last." ... Amen!