As a college student, we are often times consumed with so many things—where we're going to eat, what the plans are for the night, studying, and the all important napping. College is also all about being on the go. And I know for me personally, I like to keep busy. Having to worry about school, a campus job, my sorority, and trying to keep up a social life, can become something that consumes my every thought. It makes me miss the moments in life that I should be completely present for. It causes stress, anxiety, and over thinking. It also causes me to put God on the back burner.
Having to adjust to so many different things as a first year college student can make those adjustments your central focus. Instead, we should be making the time to go to church after a late Saturday night, opening our bible app instead of our Twitter app, starting our morning off in The Word instead of rolling out of bed 10 minutes before our first class. Yes, of course I learned many lessons about prioritizing in high school, but when you get to college it's a whole different story. You're on your own, and working on your own time, but you also have about twice as many activities to balance. The constant "I need to get my priorities straight" or the "I need to get my life together" thoughts are nothing without prayer. I found myself thinking these things often and nothing really began to come together until I started putting Jesus first again. Casting my worries, anxieties, and stress on Him has helped me to remember my central focus. Keeping God at the forefront of your mind can help you align everything in your life perfectly. Indulging in the word every morning can give you an energy to carry through your entire day. And remembering that God is in control of EVERYTHING can reduce all of your stress and anxiety. With a busy college life, and always being ready to go, we often need to revaluate things and remember to be present in every moment, careful not to look ahead too soon to the next.
My prayer is that God will continue to help me BE STILL. Reminding me that everything is in His hands, and centralizing my focus on Him in everything I do. I pray that, as college students, we can all begin to realize we are nothing without Him, and although life may be going the way YOU want it to and you have more happiness now than you feel like you have had in a while, (I know that's how I feel) remember HE is the source of our JOY. Do not seek worldly things to provide this satisfaction for you because He is the only one who can truly satisfy. Do not rely on your own strength to get you through your busy and stressful days. Do not try and prioritize your life by yourself, dive into The Word and see what God has to say about it. Instead of listening to your busy life and all of your worries, be still and listen to the voice of the Lord. Don't let God take a back seat in college.
Pray. Be still. Be present in every moment.
Psalm 62:5-6 Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.
Psalm 37:7 Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
1 Samuel 12:16 Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes!
