Almost exactly three years ago I was waiting for the next chapter in my life to begin. As the acceptance letters rolled in, I found myself with the responsibility of making a decision which would affect my whole life. While that choice certainly seemed crucial at the time, it can hardly compete with choices I am confronted with now that I am only one semester shy of graduation. There was never any question whether or not I would go to college. Now that I have rushed through it, I wish I had a more concrete idea of who I am and where I fit into the world beyond. If I am being perfectly honest with myself, however, I must surely admit that what I fear most about the real world is the possibility that my grand scheme will not match up with God's plan.

While most of my friends roll through majors and potential careers two or three times a year, I have always known what I want. If you asked the high school version of me what I wanted to do with my life, you would get an answer that is very similar to the stock one I hand out today: Political science major, teach for a few years, then go to law school. Now I can explain more clearly why I want to teach and what I hope to accomplish with a career in law, but as the time when I must decide on the specifics nears, I seem to be grasping at straws. As much as I hope that my plans unfurl perfectly in line with my loftiest expectations, I know the time to submit to God has come. My steadfast ambition to achieve my goals and dreams has given me purpose. My goals have given me an outlet through which I could practice skills and gain expertise. I cannot, however, expect that my plan is God's plan, for God's plan is surely grander.

A couple days before 2010 turned to 2011, I met with my mentor and pastor to discuss plans for the youth group that we both lead. Over Indian food, we discussed lesson plans and goals and eventually my future. As I listened to my mentor talk about her experiences after graduating from college and the possibilities that exist, I couldn't escape from the reality that I had not even begun to consider all that the world holds. The relentless pursuit of my personal vision for the future, while productive, has shielded me from exploring many of the opportunities that God has offered and has prevented me from engaging in the process of prayer, discernment and ultimately growth that stems from uncertainty.

It is not easy to set your dreams aside, but it is a task which I must undertake. It takes trust and humbleness — two traits which are not regularly practiced in the egocentric and hyper-individualistic environment of the college campus. If I ever expect to fulfill God's vision for my life, it will be because I have enough faith to walk down the path less traveled. The time has come to face all of the opportunities that the future holds and to greet them without fear. I cannot do this if I hope to conquer the future, to implement my vision in the world by force; I must always remember that I am the servant and not the architect. During this New Year I resolve to live without resolution, to embrace the dissonant future as a faithful and humble servant of God.

• Brother in Bharat
• The "C" and me
• A moment of peace on God's green earth
• Living in a season of death