Today marks the beginning of a new adventure! After working for 25 years in the school system in Puerto Rico, Texas, and Florida...I will start a new job as a full time professor at a private university. Dream come true? Not really, BUT I see it as an opportunity to grow, to influence, to inspire...Let me go back to the "dream come true". I can't say that my dream was always to be at the university level, unlike my sister, but after a couple years teaching as an adjunct, I realized that it was time for me to address a different type of student...the adult learner.
Throughout my career as an educator, I encountered many adults of ages 30-50 that found themselves too old to study. I could never understand why people would limit themselves that way when they still could do so much, but sometimes it is just a state of mind. I know...some of you would say "I don't have money!", but money seems to magically appear for other things, like a new house or a car, car, and a car. :) Why not education? Don't get into debt, bankrupt debt, trying to get the things that ONLY a sound education can give you. If you are thirty...what are you going to do with your next 30 or 40 years? If you are forty or fifty....the same thing. You still have time for a whole new life to be successful. My dad always says: "Studying is worse than working", and he is right...But it is worth it!! Nothing will give you more satisfaction...and before you know it...you look back and...IT IS DONE!! To this day I hear family members and friends whine and complain about their wasted past...Do you? Then do something about it, or for the next 30 years will be whining about your SECOND wasted past. Grow old..with NO REGRETS!!
Education never comes alone. With it comes professional status, higher self-esteem, power, peace of mind, better working conditions, travel, and of course, money. And let's not forget responsibility, leadership, mentoring, positive influence, respect.
But what does all this has to do with God? GOD wants YOU to be the best you can be!!! If you are not a leader, then you are a follower. As a leader, you have the opportunity to influence others; to teach the truth. Which one are you? How do you conduct yourself, as well as your behaviors, your thoughts, and your actions come from a renewed, rational mind; the opposite, from thoughts, and consequently feelings, that defeat every good purpose and plan that God has for YOU!! The Bible says in Hosea 4:6: "My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge". I believe this applies to everything. I have sat in churches for years listening to all kinds of ignorance, and traditions of men... "...Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." (Ephesians 5:14). "...The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber..." (Romans 13:11)...The time is short! Make the best of it!! God is waiting for YOU! Your new life is waiting for you!
