With the calendar pages swiftly turning, the far-off reality of college is zooming in, and a disturbing question is nagging louder each day: How is my family ever going to pay for this? As you face the overwhelming financial realities, the hurdles may seem impossible. Am I crazy for thinking I could afford college, especially this college? Doubt and worry have become your pals, and you are seriously wondering if God really has led you in this direction. You don't have any reason to think you misunderstood him the first time; it's just that you haven't heard him recently—and he hasn't dropped off any checks in the mailbox. A guy named Jonathan found himself in a similarly tight spot (1 Samuel 14). Though the son of a king, he was only one among a weary band of 600 soldiers meandering around a gloomy camp. Their numbers were small, and their weapons shoddy. Battle savvy, the swelling and well-armed Philistine horde had captured or killed Israel's blacksmiths. So, Saul and his son Jonathan carried the two swords remaining in the Israelite company, and the rest of the men were armed with hoes and shovels. They huddled together, waiting for disaster. Saul stood frozen, clueless about what to do next. Jonathan, however, responded a bit more radically, secretly slipping away. All he took with him was his sword, his armor bearer, and the unwavering conviction that this was the time for action. As the two left the safety of camp, his companion asked what he planned. Jonathan's words were simple and dangerous, almost reckless. "We are heading to the Philistines. It is time for the sword." And as if anticipating concern over whether God had spoken, promising some miraculous Goliath-type moment, Jonathan simply said, "Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf." Perhaps? Perhaps. Perhaps God will move. Perhaps he won't. Perhaps we will experience a great victory, and perhaps we will die. Jonathan simply knew the moment demanded raising the sword and rushing into battle. No guarantees. Many questions. But whatever the outcome, it was time to move. Such courage erupted because Jonathan had a view of the bigger picture: God was in charge. Jonathan didn't have the details worked out—or even an assurance it would go as he hoped—but he did know that moving was right, moving was faith. Maybe God has you in such a predicament, pulled between your God-fueled hope for the college experience ahead and your fear for how it could ever fall in place. Is it time to simply move? Pull out the sword and rush headlong into faith? No guarantees. Just bold faith, charging ahead. Perhaps God will provide in ways you could never imagine. Copyright © 2003 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine.
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