I grew up learning how to dance and execute choreography. When I took my first improvisational movement class in college, however, I felt unsure of myself as a dancer. There was no set choreography; I had to figure out my own rhythms and movements.
Since graduating from college a year ago, I feel like I’ve moved past choreographed movement and onto improvisational movement. I no longer have a choreographed next step on my journey or choreographed time of rest as the possibilities of post-grad life are endless. Summer and fall now mainly reflect a change in weather, not in schedule.
So, how does one approach the back-to-school season while no longer following the academic calendar?
1. Prioritize Reflection on the Goodness of God
My current season of life (like many of my friends in their twenties) is one of uncertainty. As such, the rest and reflection that used to be a part of my summer routine are now hard to prioritize while pursuing various dreams and positions. However, the words of Psalm 4 have really spoken to me:
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” – Psalm 4:8 [ESV]
The Psalmist’s utter reliance on God and trust in His Goodness allows him to choose to rest. Even amidst the pressures of ruling a nation and facing war, David found peace in God. This is why so many of the psalms are ultimately filled with David’s reflections on God’s goodness in his life.
As I passed the one-year mark since graduation, I reflected on what life has been like since college. I realized that during the past year, I often felt discouraged with where I was in life with so many pending choices and unfulfilled desires. And yet, when I took a few minutes to step back and write out all the beautiful moments that God gifted me over the past year, I was amazed.
God was far from still even though He often seemed to be still. Even while feeling like I was waiting for God to move, I found that I was not in a time of waiting for God’s goodness but rather of waiting to recognize the fruit of His goodness in my life. Understanding this truth made me realize the beauty of reflection as it draws me closer to God and gives me a fuller perspective of where I am standing.
However, life beyond the academic calendar does not seem to have scheduled times for reflection and rest. The excitement I felt while starting a new school year, which often led to more reflection and goal-setting, is not as easily a part of my life since graduating. I have realized that I need to intentionally prioritize a rhythm of life with time for such rest and reflection.
2. Set a Sustainable Rhythm to Glorify God
In school and college, life for so long follows a set path from one school year to the next. After graduating, it has become clear to me that I now have to choose the rhythm of my own life intentionally. As I choose my holidays and my days of work, I have to find times of reset and reflection. This is especially important in our culture which values productivity and performance over rest.
By intentionally choosing times of rest, from utilizing “margins” to a weekly Sabbath, I have felt liberated from chasing productivity. I now have time to remind myself of what really matters in light of eternity with God. With the beginning of Fall which marks the typical back-to-school season, I hope to choose to reflect and again be reminded of God’s goodness amidst life’s busyness and struggles.
Another aspect of finding time for rest in the summer and for reflection in the fall has to do with community-building. Although everyone’s church and community may look different, I have benefitted from being in community with those of all ages. This has allowed me to be around students and parents of children going back to school who inspire me to look back and look forward during this season.
Ecclesiastes 3 has a beautiful poem discussing the seasonality of life. God has created a natural rhythm from the rising and setting of the sun to the changing colors of the leaves. With that rhythm also comes times of mourning and times of dancing. This rhythm creates a Fall season where a time of reflection can be scheduled. As I move past the more choreographed seasons of life, I hope to still prioritize times of reset to remember God and his good purposes for me.
This post is part of a short series with reflections from people in different seasons of life as they approach this “going back to school” time of year.
Photo Credit: Cecile Vedemil