You're going to have trouble in the world-trouble. Maybe that's the crouching figure, tribulation, persecution, pressure, and stress. And here's the twist that I've been thinking about since I've come to St. Olaf, not trouble from external evil bad things, but often from the good turned into trouble. The daily schedule. We have to dole out little bits of time and pieces of our energy to the people whom we love the most as well as to absolute strangers.
Family is supposed to be a blessing.
It is for many of us, but it's absolutely oppressive to other people. Perhaps some of you have come to St. Olaf and found a sanctuary here, far away from overbearing, manipulative and cruel parents, brothers and sisters. In the world you are going to have trouble, maybe even in your family. That's what Jesus said. It seems like a good thing to be a president of a college or a student at a college like St. Olaf or an administrator, or a faculty member, or just a visitor who comes here from time to time.