Taking a Break

I have come to a realization in my life as of today December 18, 2008. I have decided that I just do not like college. I hate that all you out there that read this might be in college and I do not want you to be dismayed. You should complete your degree and stay in school. I haven't said that I'm quitting school, but I do feel like it. That's why after much thought I have decided to take a 6 week break from school. I mean, it's only a 6 week break, then I am right back into hard classes that will help me continue my education towards a degree.

Now for the real reason that I am feeling this way lately and why I believe that while I need to finish school for me, I need to stop worrying about finishing school for anyone else but me and God.

I realize that God just doesn't care about a piece of paper whether it be a degree that says I have completed a track on pastoral studies, or even a piece of paper that says I am licensed to preach the Gospel. Why do we put so much emphasis on the paper more than the calling?

This is pretty much the problem that I am faced with right now. I want to continue to learn the rest of my life, but is a piece of paper saying that I learned really the answer? To be honest I could probably learn more from reading books that I enjoy than getting books for class that I don't like and don't read anyway. I can only say for the three years that I've been in school, I have probably only finished 1/10th of the reading. Some of the books I truly enjoy and still refer to and read today, however some of the books I just can not bring myself to read.

Is there anyone out there that feels that as a "Christian" society we put way too much emphasis on the piece of paper that says we are a preacher more than the calling the God has placed on our lives?

These are just my thoughts . . .