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A word from the student council president...
January 24, 2005
By Scott O'Neal, Boyce student council president

Some things you learn only by experience. For example, you do not understand that peculiar "rollercoaster" feeling in your stomach until the bottom drops out on the first descent. You cannot imagine the flavor of a banana until tasting one. And after three-and-a-half years at Boyce College, I believe I can say that the only way to learn what it means to enjoy life and thrive here is to experience it for all it is worth.

It cannot be denied. The life of a student training for ministry is full of new experiences, tensions, pressing concerns and adventures. Even I, a senior, face new challenges every day. We all must ask: How will I complete the paper? What in the world will I say to him tomorrow? Which should I choose, knowing that this single decision affects the rest of my life? The beauty of being in Christ is that every challenge which you face brings more joy to you. It is a new adventure — a never-before-seen-by-you chance for God to show that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him (Heb 11:6). That intimidating witnessing moment is one more situation in which you can be dependent on God. He will show you that, if you trust Him, He will not only strongly support you (2 Chr 16:9), but He will also give you joy in every circumstance (Ps 34:1).

I have experienced the beginning of eight semesters at Boyce, and each one has arrived with its own excitement, anticipation, caution and high hopes. Pray hard and plan well. This is time you will not receive back again, so commit this semester to study and to serve with all the strength our omnipotent God provides (1 Pet 4:11). Trouble will come. Due dates will come "due." Time and energy will vaporize. Yet in these things and worse, we are more than conquerors in Christ (Rom 8:37).

Knowing this, right now at the beginning of the semester, hear this exhortation: Enjoy the long nights. Enjoy the chapel services, dorm meetings, evangelism teams and local church ministries. Delight in the fact that you can spend and be spent for the advancement of Christ's Kingdom. Simply trust God, then experience and enjoy life.

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