Turning Back

One of the simple truths of college is that there are always more freshman enrollment than there are senior graduations.  Somewhere along the line, many simply turn back from their pursuit.  The turning point?  When things get real.  Right about the time they discover it won't all be fun and games, that there is a need to dig in and do the hard work of research, study and lab work, that there are standards, which must be met - right about there many start looking for an exit door.

While, in truth, more like 25% than the 50% failure we so often hear of marriage failures, there are still far too many who begin marriage with the "happily ever after" mentality that runs into the wall of relationship realities found in the struggle of two becoming one, of monthly bills, of raising children, of housekeeping, yard mowing, and so on that causes them to start trying to pick the lock in wedlock.

The challenges of real world endeavors can have a very chilling effect on the dreams of the initiates who finally get around to facing them.  When I was in the Air Force, during the Viet Nam Era, there were a lot of young men who were being treated in our mental health clinic for what was labeled as "Acute Reaction to Adult Life."  Translation: Life just got real and it did not match up with their fantasy.

When I was at Harding University, a freshman came into Dr Jerry Jone's office to say he was dropping out of college and joining the Marines because he was tired of being told what to do all the time.  I have a suspicion that young man had another reality check when he encountered his DI in basic training.

Christians are not immune, even the early disciple who were traveling with Jesus reached the this turning point: "From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him" (Jn 6:66). As Jesus began to talk about the realities of discipleship, disciples started applying the brakes and turn back to whence they came.

You will be tempted as well to turn back from your marriage, your job, your education, your fitness plan, your whatever it is that gets real, even your faith.  Which is why Jesus warns us to "count the cost" (Lk 14:25-33).   Discipleship does get real but so does the turning back.  You need to count the costs and weigh them against the rewards of faith and the penalties of unbelief.  Jus' Say'n.