I believe! Help my Unbelief.

Student Leaders –

First of all, I commend you. It is already October, which means you have likely handled your first “crisis” as a student leader. It may be something simple like finding all the bathrooms in Decker to hang issues of Stall Talk (been there) or something a little more challenging, like working through a difficult rooming situation with some of your residents as an RA (done that). You’ve also probably realized that these situations, even the simple ones, take both time and energy – probably even more than you expected when you signed on for the job.

When I was asked to write a note of encouragement for student leaders, I thought about my days on campus. I served as an RA for a year in Martin, and I served as the director of the University Leadership Council (ULC) for a year. The ULC supports and encourages student leaders. Both of these experiences were incredibly meaningful to me (and I would not change them one bit), but there was a degree of time and energy required for these positions that I did not expect.

Keeping my door open, even when I had lots of homework. Late-night conversations with residents, even when I needed sleep. Planning events (and continuing to plan events), even when they weren’t well attended. Thinking of encouraging activities for student leaders, even when I felt like there were no creative juices left in my body. I was often worn out. I was often functioning on little sleep. I was often – quite simply – exhausted. I knew my job responsibilities as an RA and ULC director; however, I still needed the strength of the Lord.

It may be a loose connection, but this makes me think of a passage I heard a few weeks ago in church from Mark. In Mark 9, a boy’s father seeks the healing touch of Jesus for his son, who is affected by an evil spirit that makes him mute and foam at the mouth. The father approaches Jesus and asks for help if Jesus can do anything. “And Jesus said to him, ‘If you can! All things are possible for one who believes.’ Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’” (Mark 9:23-24).

I believe you know what to do in your role, just like I knew my responsibilities when I was in your shoes. You know the standards you are held to as a member of student leadership. You know the right example to set and the wrong example to avoid. Your judgment and discernment are likely some of the reasons you are in the position you are. The father in this story knows Jesus can heal his son (“I believe”). However, he also knows that he still needs the help of the Lord (“help my unbelief”). In the context of your environment, it may look something like this:

• I believe I can make connections with my residents; Lord, help give me the confidence to speak up and seize opportunities to do so. Help me when I don’t believe.
• I believe I can set an example to others; Lord, help me resist temptation and don’t let me give in to my earthly desires. Help me when I don’t believe.   
• I believe I can serve others; Lord, give me the strength, energy, and time to do that. Help me when I don’t believe.  

I’d encourage you to be prayerful and ask the Lord to come alongside you and “help your unbelief.” “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Working in student leadership can be exhausting and tiring (especially with a full academic schedule), but the dividends are huge. Some of my closest college friends are the girls I worked alongside in Martin Hall from 2006-2007. My now-husband Kyle was a Smith Hall RA, and we had our first date when his floor planned a roommate date in 2007. Rely on the Lord for strength, especially when you feel like you can’t handle one more crisis, even if it is as simple as finding every last bathroom in Decker.

Laura (Burgher) Schroeder graduated in 2009 with a degree in Language Arts Education. She is married to Kyle Schroeder (’10). They live in Indianapolis with their seven-month-old daughter Lydia and Golden Retriever named Sadey.