Wheaton College - Tower Yearbook (Wheaton, IL)

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ing the first week of classes whether they'll be able to get into that course they regis- tered for, although it's filled up at the moment. We live so much in the future that we miss the sights and sounds of the present going on all around us. Getting rid of this attitude is what I mean by slowing down . Of course, you can carry Hslowing down too far also. Living in the age of sock hops and '57 Chevys is no more healthy than looking forward to an age of learning pills and sun powered cars or just till the end of the quarter. When you think about '57 Chevys and sock hops on a regu- lar basis, you're going backwards, not for- ward. What slowing down is, then, is facing reality on a day to day basis, not running ahead to tomorrow or backing up into yes- terday. Running forward and backing up are both likely to run you into a brick wall. But simply walking in today is not enough. There are many people walking around today so blinded by self-interest that they K J dest they've possibly flunked, wonder duh ge no more than dim shadows ofthe world that surrounds them. So we come to the next of Christ's signposts, consider . Look around. This time, Christ was consid- ering the world of nature. Look at the birds , observe the lilies are examples from nature that teach us of God. Nature, though marred by sin, is still God's crea- tion, and His lessons can be seen any- where. Looking at the changing colors of autumn leaves can remind us of God's appointed times and seasons and the warm sun can remind us that we must rely upon God for life just as we rely upon the sun for heat and light. We've got to look around at other people too. This kind of looking around involves more than your eyes, it involves a sensitivity to others' feel- ings. When it comes right down to it, ob- serving is more than just looking around. lt involves an inner feeling, a hearing of a person's vibes . This can be as simple as noticing the tired slump of someone's shoulders as they walk out of class, or going a few steps out of your way in order to congratulate a person about getting an on the test you flunked.

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slow down does this mean more than walking to our classes more slowly or going only forty-five on the freeway? Or do we mean some- thing more? To me, slowing down means, in this context, something more like Live in today . One of the phrases being bandied about today is Planning for Future Generations . If a politi- cian says something along this line, we at least label him, a socially aware person if nothing else. There is nothing wrong with this philosophy if it's kept in perspec- tive, but many people make this a selfish way, always planning and beginning construction or in a Qore mild form to worry about thy '71

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f Then there is the most important signpost of all. Seek first the king- dom of God and His righteousness. Actually this most important step involves the first two. Both giving all our anxiety to Christ and observing God's truth are parts of seeking God's kingdom. You may be wondering how this works into the last part of the year- book's theme. But it's said that imi- tation is the sincerest form of flat- tery. To seek Christ's kingdom is to live as He did. For us as Christians, imitation is also the sincerest form of praise. To seek the kingdom of Christ, then, we must begin by keep- ing our eyes upon Him as the au- thor and finisher ofourfaithf' Jim Helfers Praise God from whom all bless- ings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below, Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen X J X J ..