Paul Poulton comments on finding God's direction in life

Paul Poulton

'Fresher' is a British word for a first year university student. The Urban Dictionary informs us that Freshers are known for their love of having a good time! Freshers have their own special 'week' at the start of their academic year. During the week students participate in a range of social activities, including live music, sports challenges and stunts. Often the week, (which may last longer than an actual week as defined by the rest of the population), is topped off by a Freshers' Ball. By this time of year though, all the 'fun loving' Freshers should be getting to grips with the regular student lifestyle; the levity and light-heartedness is probably settling into normal parameters, which for students is still higher than the average person.

This year Freshers have done well to maintain their cheerful demeanour as thousands of extra university places have been offered to students and some universities have been unable to find accommodation in halls of residence. Bristol and Winchester were particularly affected, and the University of Aberdeen's accommodation dilemma made the national news. Freshers found themselves in temporary dormitories or hotels some distance from the university. For some students eating was a problem because cooking facilities were not always available in the temporary locations. The university's staff found themselves fielding questions like, "There are several professors of mathematics at the University of Aberdeen, couldn't one of them have done the maths for you?"

Bristol University, where student accommodation was "not ideal", were taking steps to resolve the issue. Fresher Darcy Ramsden was expecting her own room but found herself sharing with another first-year student, sleeping in bunk beds in a room meant for one, with a single sink and desk. "It's a bit strange, I'm never on my own", Ms Ramsden told BBC News.

I guess this year's particular set of accommodation problems will stand the students in good stead for the future, because life itself will throw up many problems as they negotiate their way through it.

Despite the happy-go-lucky hedonistic tag placed upon Freshers we know that there is in fact some hard work in store for students as they move towards their chosen qualification. One hurdle students may face are doubts about their chosen subject. After a few months of student graft the thought may cross their mind, Oh no, I might be on the wrong course! Some students may be confident they're aiming in the right direction from the word go; others may be struggling with their current subject and wonder what the future holds. It's useful to remember that having an academic degree doesn't secure employment, but it is proof the graduate is willing to apply themselves to the discipline at hand, and has the dedication to take a long-term project to completion. Potential employers will be encouraged to know that a person has a high-calibre qualification even if the subject the interviewee studied is in a different field to the job on offer. I have a friend who runs a successful business but the line of work has little to do with the university course he studied.

I studied engineering at a college but have ended up working in music and a few other areas. While I was wondering what direction to move in, I remember reading in books that staying calm and having faith would help me find the correct path. There's a Bible verse that says, "Let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives". Which sounds good but how exactly do we follow the Spirit's leading? Will signs appear in the sky to guide us, similar to the wise men's star? Or is it fitting to ask for a sign like Gideon did with a sheep's fleece? If God could keep the ground dry but the fleece wet overnight, then Gideon would know he was the person to lead the Israelites against their enemies. God granted his request. But then Gideon, still unsure, asked a second time; this time he wanted God to keep the fleece dry but to cover the ground with dew. Again, God obliged. Little did Gideon know that the signs he requested to bolster-up his faith in God came with a price attached. He had made two distinct requests of God, but God would now make two distinct requests of Gideon. Twice Gideon had to cut the size of his army, which meant an army of 32,000 was downsized to 300 men. The only way Gideon could move forward was through faith in God.

Some people, hoping to be guided by God, open the Bible really quickly and whatever their eyes alight upon hope to see some sort of sign - which may be in code. Funny stories abound: Man angry with other man opens the Bible quickly asking for a sign from God so that he will know what to do. The first sentence he reads is, "It is I, be not afraid". So the man picks up his courage and hits the other man's eye. I once had a lady tell me that she opened the Bible quickly asking God whether he loved her or not. The verse she landed on said something like, "Depart from me, you workers of iniquity". It seems quite funny now but it shook the lady up for days. The Bible is a book and meant to be read as a book. The advice it gives us is, "Brothers and sisters, don't be like children in the way you think. Be infants when it comes to evil, but be adults in your thinking".

Students, and people in general, will sometimes find themselves wondering about which road to take. If we keep our hearts open and ask God to guide us we find that he does, and usually without the use of signs or portents. We have the necessary apparatus within us to be led by God's Spirit. "God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble." Graduates may have a few twists and turns as their career unfolds, but through faith, humility, a clear head and following their heart, the talents they have been given will be put to good use.