Life (Slightly) Beyond the Bubble

By Rachel Greenwood

During college, but especially during senior year, I dreamt of where God might take me for the next chapter of my life (way to be present, I know. But, cornfields’ll do that to ya). Would it be a new state I had never lived in before? Somewhere really warm, like Mississippi? Or somewhere with mountains? Someplace outside the US? One thing I “knew” for sure; I would be leaving the state of Ohio. I had “signed up” for 3 years, and not a day beyond that. Besides, what reason could possibly be good enough for me to want to stay?
Well, one thing I’ve learned during my relationship with the God who created the Heavens and the Earth, as well as me: telling Him I will not/cannot do something often results in me doing that very thing.
Instead of going off to Grad School in Colorado, which at the beginning of senior year I thought was the plan, God swung a different door wide open for me. Choosing to go through this door would mean not only staying in Ohio, but staying in Cedarville another year. I had to laugh at how beautifully the opportunity came together. This opportunity that would keep me in the state I claimed I couldn’t stand. God was gracious enough to make it so sweet, there was no way I wanted to say no. So, I walked on through, laughing as I went with my God Who can talk me into anything.
The fact that I still live in Cedarville is part of the reason I am only slightly beyond the “Bubble.” Because, living in the town of Cedarville is about as close to being in the bubble one can be and still be outside of it. I mean, ½ (my approximation) of the businesses in this town play Christian music. At the same time, my friends will go off to nights of worship & SCAB events, while I…read a book, or knit, or learn Spanish? Feeling very outside the Bubble the whole time. (Okay, so I’m still working on what to do with myself while my friends are doing college student things. Also, I’m doubtful if I ever actually take up knitting.)
Since I have only been out of college a mere 3 months, I am by no means an expert on adult-living. In fact, I am coming to realize I have a lot more questions than answers. (It’s funny, because when I was a freshman in college, I thought I was an adult. However, no longer having the privilege of relying on Chuck & his staff to feed me makes me think college was more of an in-between phase for me.)
One of those questions involves choosing a church home and getting plugged in. During my time at Cedarville, I never plugged in to a church, because I had plenty of ministry opportunities available through school. I went to a church, but the decision about where to go Sunday mornings didn’t seem that huge to me, seeing as I had chapel Monday-Friday and Bible classes and a weekly Bible study (or 2) to attend and grow from.
Beyond the Bubble, things look different. I went to the Fall Bible Conference 2 evenings this week, which reminded me just how much I will miss having chapel Monday through Friday. I am so thankful I had that opportunity for three years. And while part of me felt sad as I was challenged by Rob Turner’s messages, I was thankful for the reminder of just how important it is for me to find new avenues/places/ways to learn, grow, and serve.
Change and transition can be tough, even if the new phase is exciting and more than you could have asked for. We like our comfort zones; we know how to relate to God in our old familiar routine. However, just because our circumstances may be changing, God doesn’t. So, even if I feel weird that the Involvement Fair will not involve me, I can rest knowing God is unchanging. And not only that, He is faithful! He has already brought great new friends and opportunities into my life that are making this transition an enjoyable one. At times I may miss life in the bubble, but most of the time I am having too much fun learning and growing on the other side to mind the change.
For those of you that are currently college students, be present and enjoy it! Learn a lot. But also develop habits that will make the transition out of your bubble easier. For example, I should not have relied so heavily on Cedarville to be my source for ministry opportunities. Also, on a rather unrelated note, I have a piece of exciting (and shocking) news: people outside of the bubble actually believe being “without a ring” at the age of 22 is NOT the end of the world! In fact, I have heard a few submit that this might actually be a positive thing! Can you believe it?! And I shall end here, as I truly have very little advice to offer you, as I am right in the middle of learning a lot myself.