May I Talk to You about My Plans?



All Nations Hall


This is a question that is posed to me by my students several times a week.  I've found that the typical Handong student is much more inclined to be thinking about her or his future than the run-of-the-mill student in the States.  That's not to say, however, that I didn't have many exceptional students during my days of teaching at both Fontbonne and MBU who were quite serious about making their lives count. 

But, in general, I'm finding that the vast majority of students here think about making a difference in the world in the -- to borrow a phrase from Brother Bonhoeffer -- "the concrete realities of life in here and now."  As a result, I've had many students visiting my office (on the 3d floor of All Nations Hall -- my window is the first one on the wing that extends off to the right of the corner tower), even within the first week of classes this semester, to talk about the plans they have made or are seeking to make for their studies and future roles of service. 

Quite a number of them are interested in discussing whether the major in U.S. & International Law ("UIL") would help to equip them for positions in government or non-governmental organizations within their home countries or in developing third-world countries.

In fact, just I was started composing this post yesterday afternoon, I had a knock on my office door and a freshman came in to discuss this very question.  All the freshman here at Handong start as "Global Studies" majors, and then within their first two semesters, they are required to declare two specific majors they wish to pursue through their studies.  That's right, every student at Handong declares two majors! Many of the freshman are stopping by my office to discuss the UIL major.

Often, students will tell me of a personal "vision" they have for their lives.  They describe the positions they imagine themselves occupying in leadership roles within major international corporations or political parties.  Others have a strong commitment to developing countries and during their university studies use holiday breaks to work in Cambodia or Kyrgyzstan rather than travel to the sunny beaches of Phuket. In nearly every case, though, they have carefully thought through their plans and are looking ahead with very specific expectations.

After recounting to me their plans and expectations, these students will then sit quietly with a slight smile on their faces as they await my comments.  What should I say?  Do I affirm their plans?  Should I suggest alternatives? Should I encourage them or try to dissuade them for their proposed path, if I think it might be unwise?  Because the Asian culture puts such a strong emphasis on young people respecting the advice and guidance of their elders, I'm put in quite a precarious position.

I don't have any fixed answers for them.  I don't offer any formulas for success, nor do I try to tell them what God's will is for their lives.  Instead, I feel like the Korean Buddhist monk, well-known for his silence and meditation, who when he was asked for a "word of wisdom" by his students told them, "Never trust the word of a monk."  So rather than try to offer them specific counsel regarding their plans and choices, I encourage them to seek out the path where they can best serve the purpose to which they have been called.

I suggest that success in life can only be found as we, individually and with others, seek to discover how we have been designed and equipped to serve others, and then start doing that service now in the midst of the concrete realities of life.  Plans for the future can provide guidance for the way we live out today, but what is of even greater importance is living fully in the present -- making the most of each opportunity to serve that we are provided today.

"The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."  ~ Proverbs 16:9