It is common in our society to repeatedly ask our children, “What do you want to do when you grow up?” Less often do we ask them, “What type of person do you want to be when you grow up?” The difference between the two questions might be small or inconsequential, just a play on words, but in reality the two questions provide significantly different starting points and often result in drastically different ends.
The truth is that most of the data markers regarding individuals who are content, satisfied, and effective in their lives reenforce that a strong and well thought out understanding of the type of person they want to become is more significant to their ultimate thriving than a commitment to and success in any particular occupation or professional path. Yet often when guiding our young people, even in Christian circles, we focus strongly on what are seemingly worldly ends — security, financial stability, perhaps even prestige and honor.
Yet Scripture ensures us that “in this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33, NIV). Scripture regularly speaks to concern over the pursuit of wealth and finances as an anchoring force in our lives, and we are regularly reminded that eternal rewards are more significant than any we can achieve on Earth. And consequently, Scripture reminds us that we are a body each endowed with unique gifts and talents that we are to use to glorify God by working towards a just, good, and thriving society.
As we guide our young people towards their future and towards adulthood, I wonder how their journey might look different if we started with questions such as,
How might our students come alive if we focused less on questions such as “What will this job pay you upon graduation?” and started with questions such as “What unique gifts has the Lord given to you that you might use in your life to make the world a better place in His name?” or “When do you feel most alive, like you were created to do the very thing you were doing?”
The questions we start with have a significant impact on the answers our students pursue. As we continue to partner with you in the education of your child, may the Lord provide us all with the questions that are of greatest concern and value to Him. May we have the courage to trust Him to lead our children not only to the answers, but to a good and satisfying life as they discover them.
Written by Jamie Swank, Vice President and Dean of Student Development
Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.
Jan 14, 2025
Kevin Donaldson, coordinator of student activities and intramurals, shares tips on supporting students as they learn to balance co-curricular activities with their studies.
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