StAG Mag October 2016 | Page 2

Rich Alldritt

Student

Rich Alldritt

Survival Guide

So you ’ ve made it into Cambridge ! You ’ ve probably been counting down the weeks , and now here you are at the beginning of a whole new chapter of life . The chance to study a singular subject of your choice - the subject you ’ ve always wanted to look at . Societies and interests : at last you ’ ll be able to take your sporting career to the next level , or share your tiddlywinks hobby with others . Living away from home and the freedom to organise your own time and money — learning how to cook and budget and be independent . The amount of new people you meet , and the potential for countless new friendships . It is all tremendously exciting , if not a little scary as well of course . Have fun , make the most of it … oh , and definitely go punting !
But what would Jesus say if he was delivering his top tips for university life ? Luke ’ s Gospel tells the story of Jesus ’ stopover in Bethany on his journey to Jerusalem . Martha and Mary are having a quiet night in — the Bake Off and a game of Jungle Speed — when there ’ s a knock at the door . Jesus wants to spend the evening with them . MARTHA GOES NUTS ! The place is a tip , there ’ s a houseful of guests to feed — so much to get ready in so little time . Peeling the veg , laying the table , serving drinks , opening up the nibbles , whipping up a cheesecake … Inevitably she gets pretty cross with her sister Mary , ‘ who sits at the Lord ’ s feet and listened to his teaching ’ ( Luke 10:39 ). You might think Mary is star struck , and that she ’ s forgotten her responsibilities in the face of A-list celebrity . You ’ d expect Jesus to side with Martha and rebuke Mary , but Jesus sees things differently : ‘ Martha , Martha , you are anxious about many things , but one thing is necessary . Mary has chosen the good portion ’ ( Luke 10:41-42 ).
In life there are many important things . Good things . Exciting things . But there is one thing that stands head and shoulders above everything else : according to Jesus the most important thing - at university or indeed anywhere else - is listening to his words . Even being busy serving Jesus can be a distraction . It just isn ’ t the main thing .
C���rid�e T�-Dos
□ Get to ��� F�e���r ’ � F�i�
□ G� �un�in�
□ F�n� S�in��u�y ’ �
�n� sto�� �p �n �hoc�la�� h��n�b�
□ Re��i�e g��n� ��� �e�l�y ��ir�
□ M��� s��e �r��nd�
□ Put Je�us �irs� ?
So make the most of these next three years . Enjoy that matriculation formal , sign up for lots of new things at the Freshers ’ Fair , really throw yourself in — but whatever else you do , take Jesus ’ advice and don ’ t neglect the one thing that is necessary - listening to his words . Find a church that makes much of opening up Jesus ’ words from the Bible , don ’ t shop around churches for weeks but get stuck in , decide to be there every week and choose the ‘ good portion ’. ‘ Martha , Martha , you are anxious about many things , but one thing is necessary . Mary has chosen the good portion ’ ( Luke 10:41-42 ).

Useful THINGS

For more on why Jesus is worth listening to visit uncover . org . uk
Get in touch with the Cambridge Christian Union at ciccu . org . uk
Get in touch with the Anglia Ruskin Christian Union at facebook . com / angliaruskincu
For more info about what ’ s on for students at St Andrew the Great visit stag . org / students
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