The first week was an introductory section, called Launch, starting you off in the program. At the end of every unit you are given a writing assignment. On the first week, it was a concise synthesis of what had been introduced and explained. I had to show it first to a family member, get their feedback, then show it to a friend, get their feedback, and finally post it in an online community of CP students and receive their feedback on it. Through it, they desire to teach peer review and extend your comfort zone, while actually solidifying your confidence and skill.
This week the second unit was called Belief and I read an excellent article by R.C. Sproul called Reflecting on the Past. I answered several critical thinking questions and finally was given my weekly writing assignment. It was:
"Create a statement of belief that clearly states who you really believe has authored your life purpose and who currently controls it."Then I had to go through the same feedback process (showing it a family member, then friend, then online community). But as I thought through this assignment and what I was to write, a phrase that had been mentioned previously in the material kept coming to mind:
"Don't just give the "Sunday School" answer; share what you sincerely believe with conviction."I must confess, I'm pretty good at the "Sunday School" answer - a common problem among pastors' kids. But to "share what [I] sincerely believe with conviction" is something much different. I had to dig below the surface, think deeper, longer, harder. I had to grapple with my convictions and what I really did believe. Then I had to get it down to 2-3 logical sentences and show it friends and family.
When I finally penned it (or typed it, since I didn't actually write it down with pen and paper), I understood from this brief statement what I believed about God's control. I want to share this statement with you and then encourage you to try out your hand at this CollegePlus writing assignment, whether you're a college student or not, young or not so young. Try creating this statement of belief about who controls your purpose in life. This is what I came up with:
"I believe that before the foundations of the world, God authored my purpose by His sovereign will and as I seek and serve Him, I will find it. Though my sinful self often tries to take control, I know that God is the only one who predetermines my purpose and holds my days in His hand."What about you? What do you believe about your life purpose?