Being a Christian in college can be one of the most difficult trials one could face. Through issues like wanting to go out with friends, creating new friendships or even just studying and doing homework, it can seem nearly impossible to juggle it all.
Whether you live on or off campus, the struggle of constantly being a representation of Christ is authentic and constant. College is a time in your life where you learn to be independent yet you still don’t suffer the full effects from all the sudden responsibilities. For most, it’s an opportunity to find yourself, whether that be through campus ministries, athletic teams or the peers you interact with on a daily basis. A few simple ways you can glorify Christ at your college would be…
Don't give into temptation
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” -2 Timothy 2:22
You'll soon come to realize that college has boys, parties and stuff that will make you look cool. These relationships and parties are often where many firm followers of Christ tend to slip up. Relationships bring sexual demands which are not mutual, especially if you're a believer. The parties most likely contain alcohol, drugs or ample opportunity to gossip. Whenever Paul urges you to "flee the evil desires of youth," he's talking about these things. No, there weren't frat parties back in Biblical days, but he's encouraging that any believer who is in this situation needs to redirect their focus on Jesus instead of subjecting themselves to these stumbling blocks.
Leaving sin-filled relationships and parties is easier said than done, but Paul gives a list of alternatives to run after. He offers us the choice to trade the sinful life with a life pursuing “righteousness, faith, love and peace." Whenever your heart pursues these things over wild parties, getting drunk and hooking up, Christ will be glorified.
Do your work and do it well
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6:6-8
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters -Colossians 3:23
There's one thing that effects every college student in this world, and that thing is procrastination. Being a Christian at college is something you take home at the end of the day, which means you're still Christ's son or daughter at three in the morning the day before a huge exam running off of a coffee high. Proverbs compares our work to that of an ant. Ants are tiny little creatures that carry around food crumbs and live in a little dirt heap on the ground, yet we are told that our work needs to look that, which could seem as an insult to some. However, ants do their work without being told and they typically work all of their lives; they model the most accurate example of determination and dedication in their work. Christ doesn’t get glory from half-written essays and failed tests whenever you procrastinated instead of studying or writing the night before. Jesus Christ gets glory whenever His followers do hard work and they do their absolute best.
Don’t look like the world
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. -Romans 12:1-2
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” -1 Corinthians 15:33
Change is inevitable; however, change can be controlled so that the outcome is positive or negative. A believer on campus will be put through the toughest of trials, and Christ will radiate through those hardships as long as you stand firm in your faith and refuse to “conform to the pattern of this world.” Use your desire to not conform to the world as your platform to scream Jesus’s name to all. Don’t let your ways be transformed just to hang out with the “cool crowd,” but rather allow yourself to be the method in which Christ is represented on campus.
While college can seem like an impossible thing for a believer in Christ to go through, it can also serve as the breeding ground for growth in the Kingdom of God. The ability to share Christ with fellow students is beyond easy and can be done whether you’re having lunch, walking to class or building relationships with one another. It comes down to whether or not you’re willing to put on eyes to see the ones who need Him most. Be unwilling to conform, be on task physically and spiritually, be able to resist temptation and be intentional each and every time you step on campus because God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in him.
