Away From The Rat Race

I have decided to study for a purpose.

To the world, studying is only done for oneself. People study to get a good career. People study to get rich. People study to be popular and famous. People study to hit out at others and over the heads of others. People study to elevate and exalt themselves. People study for selfish purposes, might it be implicitly or explicitly. Yet, many people do not realise that, because our culture is saturated with such a selfish philosophy. The world now is very individualistic, and that's the main theme in many aspects of people's lives, including studies.

I never wanted to be part of this individualistic rat race that the world has delved into. Nevertheless, as a student, I still persevered in carrying on my studies although I didn't hold it of the utmost importance. Neither do I now. There are much greater things and much more to life than studies. In the past I only studied to secure my future. I studied because I was curious, and knowledge fed that curiosity. I never liked how the world handled education, if it could even be called that as many aspects of the human person went undeveloped. The intellect was developed academically, but the human person was still relatively undeveloped.

I now want to study for a profound purpose. I'm not going to be a part of the rat race. I will study not for myself. My curiosity will be fed by knowledge, and that in turn will be used for the sake of others.

What do I mean? I don't know what vocation God has for me in life. I don't know whether I will be a husband or priest next time. But whatever might come, I will study to prepare myself for either role in the future. If I'll be a husband, I will study to have a good career, so that I'll be an efficient breadwinner for my family. Family comes above career. In the family I'll help God build his kingdom. Workaholicism is thrown out of the window. If I'll be a husband and a father, I'll study now fo the wellbeing of my family.

If I'll be a priest, I'll study now to tend to the flock. I'll study now to be able to touch the hearts and souls of those entrusted to me and bring them to God. I'll study to be able to serve them better. I'll study to be a part in their earthly sojourn and lead them to the eternal home.