College is where you gain some freedom. There's no longer someone to tell you when to go to bed, when to wake up, or when to be home.
No one will monitor how often you attend class or how much you study. No one will tell you not to eat junk food and not to party.
No one will wake you up for Sunday morning church service.
You're young. You're busy; you don't have time for church. You have places to go, people to talk to and things to do. I get it. Attending church just doesn't fit your plans; it isn't in your schedule.
But I know what you really mean – you really mean that you don't have time for God.
You have time to study, to hang out with friends, to workout, and to go out – but you just can't squeeze in a couple of hours once or twice a week for church.
You're still a believer, even if you don't go to church. Sure, your walk with God isn't as strong as it used to be, but it'll be fine. After all, you're young! You have plenty of time to get right with God.
Friends, life is fragile. You don't have the time you think you have. One wrong step, one drive in bad weather, one sudden illness – could end your life.
You may think I'm judging you. I'm not. There was a time, when I had just entered college, that I left the church. I was still a believer. I prayed. I read my Bible. I attended a weekly campus ministry program.
It was "cool" to be in a Christian group. I didn't "need" an actual church to attend.
It was good – for a while. It served as my substitute to church, but it lacked. Attending a campus ministry is great, but it is not a substitute for a church family. Often times we settle for glamour when we really need a good dose of biblical truth.
The truth is that millions of young people leave the church once they enter college. Sometimes church is given up for sports or campus ministry programs – maybe even time to study.
However, you need a church family to keep you strong. You need to listen to sermons that are filled with soul-saving truth, not just pretty words.
I know you'll hear people say that you don't need to go to church. They're right, you don't need to go to church – but it sure helps your soul if you do.
The Bible says that where two or three are gathered together in Jesus's name, he is with them! (Matthew 18:20).
It'll give you strength and peace when you go into the house of the Lord. If you are hesitant to attend church because of its imperfections, you'll never go. People make up the Church, and people are not perfect. We have to stop using that as an excuse.
The Bible says not to forsake the assembling of yourselves.
Attending church will give you strength. You'll learn more about the Bible. You'll grow spiritually. You'll make friends who have the same beliefs and values as you. You'll gain a new family.
Let us not be lazy. Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves. Let us stand firm in the faith.
"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." Psalm 122:1.
