You Find What You Look For

I went to college at a reputed “party school.” I never really saw the party aspect firsthand. I remember driving past frat houses when they were in full party mode. As best as I can remember, from lo those many years ago, my thoughts were a strange mix of envy, pity and curiosity. I remember driving by the morning after parties and the envy quickly disappearing.

Because I was (and still am) terribly boring, I never got closer to these parties than the occasional drive-by. No, wait, it seems like maybe I did shoot a story for our college TV station at a party one time. I can’t remember. I hear that memory loss is symptomatic of those parties, so maybe I was there.

Anyway, I had a speech professor who was full of pithy wisdom such as, “Pray like it all depends on God and study like it all depends on you, because, in the end, it all depends on both.” I’m not sure I totally understood that one... and my GPA reflected as much. One story I remember him telling often was about his friends’ reactions when they found out where he taught. Apparently, they asked him why he would want to teach at such a horrible, debauched place. His answer was one that I remember to this day and have referenced on many occasion when people are debating one school (at any level) versus another. In his sweet, East Texas twang he would say, “I’ve met hell raisers, God praisers and everything in between there.” He would follow that up with something about finding what you look for in any circumstance. This was nearly 20 years ago. Think how many more options we have in our world today. I’m not sure that’s necessarily a good thing, either.

His belief, and mine, is that whatever you look for, in college, relationships and life you’ll find. If you’re looking for a party, you’ll find it. If you’re looking for a group of people serving and worshiping God, you’ll find it. With few exceptions there’s something out there for everybody.

Bottom line, don’t write something off based solely on reputation or face-value. Figure out what you want and look for it. If you can’t find it, start it. Chances are you aren’t the only one looking for it.

Ryan Raines, UBC Adult Worker