David Bauer - #3

As I prepare for this summer, I am overwhelmed with sheer amount of work that needs to get done. Since this is such a pivotal summer, I recently spoke with Eric about the necessity of preparing for my internship in order to set myself up for success. This especially includes improving in my understanding of excel but also in basic programming and technical language and concepts. The pressure to perform this summer has led me to read books, undergo technical training in “hard skills.” Eric encouraged me to loosen up and trust in the plan that God has for me. As I have said in previous posts, I can be a “control freak” regarding my plans for the future and the concept of waiting for the Lord is a foreign concept in my life. He also encouraged me to reach out to my network to seek advice on ways to maximize my internship and plan ahead for next summer.

In the midst of summer preparation, I have been convicted of prioritizing my future over my relationships in the present. It is so easy to become so concerned with the here and now that it is so hard to invest in relationships. Eric struggles with the same tendency due to our common desire to perform well in every aspect of our lives. However, relationships with others are the only thing that will bring true fulfillment in this life. It is so easy to deceive myself to think that it is in my best interest to prioritize success and performance over seeking to deepen my relationships with others. We ended our conversation with a mutual encouragement to value people and relationships over our responsibilities.