Adulting

One of the many challenges students may face when they begin uni is learning how to become an adult.

Did I pay my bills on time? Will my airer ever be empty? Is my jumper still damp or just cold? Why does bread go out of date so quickly? Why is affordable food all wrapped in plastic? And how can I eat more vegetables when all I have time for is instant noodles? Adulting is hard.

Sometimes the daily grind of dishes, nutrition and trying to establish a decent sleep pattern alongside socialising, studying and trying to get some downtime can make us feel seriously out of whack. This can even affect our faith. For more on this, see our article on doubt.

As Christians, sometimes we slip into separating the spiritual from the physical when it comes to our daily lives with Jesus. The Bible doesn’t do this.

In the Old Testament book of 1 Kings we get an insight into the struggles of one of the prophets, Elijah. God has just granted Elijah a powerful victory at Mount Carmel. It’s a great high point for Elijah. But, straight after, Elijah is faced with the challenge of even more persecution. Queen Jezebel threatens his life, and he flees to hid in the desert. 1 Kings 19:3-5 says,

‘Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep’

It’s a devastating moment.

I wonder what we might say to Elijah here? What wisdom would we offer him?

Here is what God does in 1 Kings 19:5-8, ‘All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he travelled for forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.’

God sees Elijah in his weariness and exhaustion, and He provides for Elijah. He needs rest and he needs sustenance. And once he has had this, he is able to continue with the task set before him.

We are created. And we worship God when we acknowledge and submit to our creatureliness. You need to eat. You need to sleep. You need to rest. Commit time to these things. Ask your flatmate to teach you how to make pasta. Commit to going to that student lunch and letting a family feed you well. Block out at least one night a week to be in bed before midnight. Go for a walk. Acknowledge you are created and in doing so worship your creator.

If you’re feeling a bit wobbly and wondering if something is wrong spiritually, maybe, firstly, ask yourself, ’am I just being human?’

Being human is a good thing. It is good news that we are finite and God is not.

So get some help in those areas you are struggling. Maybe ask someone who has been adulting a little longer than you. It may be that there are other things going on. And that is ok. But whatever it is, it’s going to be a lot more manageable after some water and rest. Pray that the Lord would help you to find a healthy balance and like Elijah, see how you feel after a good sleep.

P.S. Stick your bread in the freezer, it’ll last longer!