These past couple of weeks, I have watched as college freshmen have moved in, gotten acclimated to this newfound freedom and responsibility, and tried to establish their identity amid a whole lot of unknowns and new experiences. It’s hard to believe that it was three years ago that I was in their place, filled with a confusing mix of excitement, nerves, pride, and stress. Starting college is a big deal; it’s a time when you are faced with new decisions, new temptations, and new opportunities. The biggest lesson those freshmen still have to learn is this: you need to stop worrying about what other people think about you.

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Most adults still haven’t quite mastered this and some never will. We live in a society that often puts so much emphasis on all the wrong things: looks, financial success, relationship status – the list could go on and on. So we get our guard up. We create an entire persona to show to the world. We strive to find fulfillment in the approval of others at the expense of our own happiness. I ran across a quote this week that really spoke to me: “Too many people spend money they haven't earned to buy things they don't want to impress people they don't like.” –Will Rogers

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It can become so easy to walk around with a mask and only show others what you think they want to see, but where does that get you? Sure, some people may hang around who wouldn’t otherwise spend as much time with you, but is that really true friendship? In all reality, some friends will come and go. The latest drama will eventually blow over. Fifty years from now, most of those embarrassing accidents will be forgotten. What will remain is the memory of late nightlife talks where you bare your soul to a close friend. What will remain are the relationships that are built on honesty and trust.

At the end of the day it doesn’t matter what this world thinks of you; it matters what the God who created you thinks of you. And he thought you were worth dying for. In fact, he even went ahead and DID die for you.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned...”
-John 3:16-18a

So to all you college freshmen (and really anyone else who needs to hear this): stop worrying about what other people think of you, and start focusing on what really matters.