Don't Waste Your Break - 02/06/10
By Matt Baker
I know that it’s hard to believe, but in a few short weeks the slight and momentary affliction of exams will be over and the glorious (but alas, temporal) weight of holidays will be upon us. How are you going to use your break? For what it’s worth, here are my top 10 suggestions (in no particular order):
1. Read a Christian Book: With uni out of the way it’s time to learn some things of infinitely greater value. For a reasonably easy, but immensely practical read, I recommend ‘You Can Change’ by Tim Chester. This book is about God’s promise of liberating grace and transforming power to set us free from sin. For a more dense theological study, you can’t go past ‘The Cross of Christ’ by John Stott (particularly in light of MYC). I just finished re-reading it and was reminded of the centrality of the cross to the Christian life. (NB: The first person to promise me that they’ll read it can have our spare copy).
2. Read a Non-Christian Book: I think there are three good reasons to read something written by a non-Christian in the break: i) How can we proclaim Christ to those that don’t know him if we don’t engage with their world? ii) It is right and proper to enjoy God’s creation by putting our minds to work and enjoying the stuff that other people’s minds have produced. iii) It’s fun! My suggestions: ‘The Messenger’ by Markus Zusak for something gripping and thoughtful; ‘The Eyre Affair’ by Jasper Fforde for something zany (and bit English nerdy.)
3. Go Op-Shopping: A goldmine for books, CDs, furniture, clothes, etc. Bag a bargain and support some good charities. For books in the Gong, give the Lifeline store on Auburn St a look-in and for everything else you can’t go past Salvo’s on Kenny St.
4. Watch a Movie: Movies have a great potential to expand your mind and to rot your soul – we need to be careful of what we put in to our brains. For something family friendly but still funny and interesting I recommend Pixar’s latest ‘Up’ (also a great resource if you are studying Ecclesiastes). For an arty/historical war drama – ‘The Wind That Shakes the Barley’ on the Irish War of Independence and consequent Irish Civil War.
5. Go Outside: Sometime this break, put down that controller, log off Facebook, turn off the TV and go outside! Walk up Mt Keira or ride your bike from the City to Thirroul (drop in and say hi on your way past). Take some time to enjoy God’s creation.
6. Do Some Housework: Not really on the top of my list for holiday fun, but it is time to do all those things you let slip away across the session. Keep the landlord or your parents happy. Things on my to do list: tidy the laundry, replace busted light bulbs, clean the car, vacuum those unseen corners …
7. Read Your Bible: Hopefully this one is obvious – we still need to be reading God’s word even though we are on holidays. Maybe the break could be a good opportunity to read something in particular – such as book you’vebeen planning to look at or some doctrine you’ve wanted to think about. Work hard at not being lazy just because your time is less structured.
8. Listen to Music: I know that most of us probably do this in session, but how often do you sit down and actually pay attention to what you are filling your ears in? It may broaden your appreciation. (Or you may find you dislike some previously much loved but apparently vacuous tune.)
9. Have Dinner With Friends: Make some time to have friends (old & new) over for dinner. Sharing a meal is a great way of catching up and relaxing. Maybe put some thought into who you could hang out with and build up a relationship with.
10. Come to MYC: I know that we’ve been saying this for weeks now – and maybe you are sick of hearing it. BUT, the reason we say it is because it is just so good. This is going to be my 8th MYC straight and it is always my favourite conference of the year.
I don’t want to be presumptuous and tell you how to live your life – but I also don’t want you to waste your break like I often did when I was a student. Hopefully these suggestions will at least get you thinking about the many things you can do in the next few weeks.
Matt Baker is in his 2nd year of MTS, but at various times he has been a Science, an Engineering and an Arts student. Drop him a line if you want to borrow any of his stuff or invite him for dinner.
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