Freshmen Should Drop this Subject
by Oliver Carlos
In UP where I studied, we were given the freedom to select which subject to take in a term, and create our own schedule, beginning on our second semester of our university life. One subject I heartily chose was SOCSCI 2 which was entitled Social, Economic, and Political Thought. It’s about the different Western philosophers and their respective philosophies.
Since I’m done with SOCSCI 1 in my 1st semester, I enrolled SOCSCI 2 in the 2nd semester. I didn’t know that the latter was ideal for more mature students like sophomores and juniors because it’s reading-intensive and the topics may be too profound for a freshman.
I couldn’t forget Day 1 of class in that subject. The professor came in and introduced himself. Afterwards, he buckled down to serious business. He asked the class who were the freshmen. I raised my hand. I looked around, there were 4–5 of us in the room, the rest were upperclassmen. Then what the professor said next changed the course of my life. He said, “Next meeting, I don’t want to see you. You freshmen should drop this subject. This is not for you. You cannot bear this subject, it’s too heavy for you. Just take this later in your college life.”
On the next meeting, he asked if there were still freshmen in his class. I raised my hand, I’m the only one doing so. The others must have dropped the class or maybe just too shy or afraid to raise their hands. The professor said to me, “Well then, you shall be taking this subject at your own risk.”
The weeks passed and I really poured in a lot of hard work and prayers in this philosophy class. To cut the long story short, I was able to survive the semester, I didn’t fail that subject. A big bonus form God was that he helped me be the top student in this class, ahead of my sophomore, junior, and senior classmates. I thank God for this. I couldn’t have done it without his help and the inspiration I got from the story of the 12 Spies in the book of Numbers 13–14.
When the trekking Israelites reached Kadesh Barnea, the entrance to the Promised Land, they camped in that place. Moses then sent 12 men to spy the land they were about to conquer. After the spies’ expedition, they returned to give a report. Ten of the spies said they must turn back because the Promised Land had giants they couldn’t win against. But 2 spies, Joshua and Caleb, said they can conquer the Promised Land because God is more powerful than the giants, and he is with the Israelites. Here’s what Joshua and Caleb said in Numbers 14:7–9 (TLB):
“It is a wonderful country ahead, and the Lord loves us. He will bring us safely into the land and give it to us. It is very fertile, a land ‘flowing with milk and honey’! …do not fear the people of the land…. The Lord is with us…Don’t be afraid of them!”
In life, sometimes we will be placed in a similar spot. We would meet people with negative vibes and circumstances that are discouraging. This is the harsh reality of the world. Some people’s words can frighten us to death. They ram on our faces a picture of an impending failure. Initially, we may feel overwhelmed or demoralized. This Kadesh Barnea situation presents to us just two options- to either go on or to quit. There is no middle ground.
What should we do when we are put in this predicament? Remember what Joshua and Caleb did. Instead of focusing on the intimidating report, they focused on God’s promises. They looked at God’s power instead of their enemy’s strengths. They kept in mind that the land is called “Promised Land” after all, it’s going to be theirs, as promised by God. They put their trust in God as they moved one step after the other in advancing towards their goal.
Are you in a Kadesh Barnea moment? Never say die! Don’t quit! Hold God’s hand firmly as he crosses you over it. Rely on his words. He always keeps his promises. Find encouragement on stories of triumph told in the Bible. God has done it before; he can do it again in your situation.
