A 1000 Mile Drive In The Wrong Direction

As of late I have been feeling an immense hole in my life. My life journey feels as if it is nothing than a jumbled-up mess of confusion, heartbreak, betrayal, and lies. So with a life full of loss, like any normal college student would do, I joined the pity-party bandwagon and felt sorry for myself. In my "destined to roam the earth alone and useless" state I was positive there was nothing that would ever change my dreary outlook on life. I read a few books, prayed like crazy, talked to my parents, and even broke-down and sought advice from my crazy teenage sisters, but nothing changed. Alas a light glimmered though the dark mood I was in, and there was a sliver lining of hope on the distant horizon. That light was Waldorf's very own Pastor Char.

I'm not going to lie to you (and I don't think pastor Char will be opposed to me telling the truth) -I went to her in desperation. I don't know what it is about the "pastor" title, but I guess you just assume that they will instantly make everything better. Alas my assumptions failed me, Pastor Char did not have an answer to all the problems consuming my life or magic prayer that cured everything ailing me, but she did have a good dose of something that I think a lot of people need-honesty. I know it sounds crazy, but Pastor Char does not know everything. Fortunately she does have great insight, and I as I have found that I am not the only one in a bit of a faith struggle I have decided to share what I found with you. Bad advice is still advice, so take it for what it is and enjoy my pearls of knowledge (with a little help form Pastor Char).

There are several times when the Bible talks about God sending people into the wilderness for some sort of faith journey. As I understand it, some poor lost soul wanders into the woods to find a new relationship with God, and wham bam thank you Ma'am, they're healed. I read a bunch of these "wilderness journey" stories and, well to be honest I thought they were crap- I know I am in dangerous territory at a Christian college, but no worries my skeptic friends...I will vindicate my harsh accusations.

My problem lies in the journey, or lack there of. I know that going outside and getting a good dose of fresh air can help you to appreciate the wonders of God's creation, but it does absolutely nothing for me. It is selfish, but I know I am not the only one who wants fast results when I ask for help from someone as all-powerful as God. In my need for a "fast fix" I am drawn to a wilderness-journey that you may find more non-traditional. We all know about Jonah, and the time he spent in the belly of a wale for disobeying God, but there is more to the story than what you may have heard in