Our Heavenly Father's "standard of success" is the only one that should matter. We cannot value/hold in esteem what mankind thinks of us—not even the opinion of our own families. Living in His truth is better than following a tradition, that's what your family should rejoice over. When you think about it, it's really silly: I got my education from this physical building and so should you. Yet the same information is shared from mind to mind, travelling across the world. What it boils down to is "seeking prestige"/"glorifying a human" (whether yourself or your family) instead of "seeking to glorify the Father". Whatever you do, make sure you're doing it to glorify or please Him, not man. I'll pray that He gives you peace and enough faith to rely on Him. He does have success planned for us as long as we remain steadfastly in Him, whether that includes the higher education you expected or not. Success in His eyes will be determined by how well you used your situation to serve His kingdom (whatever that turns out to be).
He will always provide for your needs; so, if that is something you (or your parents) worry about, you can relax:
Quote:
Psalm 111:5 (NIV)
5 He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
Quote:
Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV)
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life
[e]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Footnotes:
e. Matthew 6:27 Or
single cubit to your heightRemember:
Quote:
Galatians 1:10 (NIV)
10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
