Coming into college, I had heard it said that it's difficult to remain steadfast in your faith.
In some ways, it is. There are so many new opportunities and temptations thrust at you, it's easy to become distracted.
However, it is important to remind yourself of the Truth on a daily basis.
Some of the ways that have helped me to do this are through finding a church home in my college town, finding a campus ministry to get plugged into, and finding a community of friends that encourage me to grow in my walk with Christ.
Find a church home in your college town.
The first weekend away from home, the temptation is intense. The prospect of sleeping in and "giving yourself time to adjust" before finding a church is overwhelmingly alluring. However, that first Sunday away from home could very well be the most important Sunday of the year. That Sunday will set the stage for what the rest of your semester, and potentially your college years, look like.
Do some research before you move in. Know what churches are in the area. Have a plan.
And if you missed that first Sunday, it's ok. It's ok if you even missed the second Sunday. There's no time like the present to shift the pattern and find a church home in your college town.
This church home will be the place where you make connections with people in your community, other than college students.
Find a campus ministry to get plugged into.
There are so many campus ministry options. More often than not, you have so many viable options that you can't go wrong--so long as the ministry preaches and uses Scripture as its foundation.
Many campus ministries provide opportunities to grow and reach people on your campus. Though, it is important to note that your campus ministry should not be your church. Church and campus ministries are both great things, but one does not substitute for the other. They are a powerful tool when used together!
Your campus ministry will be a place where you should be able to grow in your faith, be challenged, and be surrounded by other believers that are your age.
Find a community of Christian friends.
Find friends that are going to push and encourage you in your walk with Christ. These friends should challenge you and hold you accountable. They should be people you feel comfortable turning to in times of crisis.
The Lord truly outdid Himself when He blessed me with the friends I have now. I have no explanation as to how I made such great friends. The only thing I can attribute it to is prayer and God's answers.
On a side tangent, it is important to keep in mind that these friends should not be your only friends. We are called to share the Gospel, and we can't reach lost people inside our Christian bubble.
This is not a fool-proof plan to staying steadfast in your faith through your college years. It is also vital to be in God's Word daily.
Don't be discouraged if you haven't been very consistent in this or in other areas. I once heard an incredibly wise man say, "You didn't stop eating because you missed a meal." So, why missing a few Sundays or missing a few quiet times stop you from going to church and reading your Bible?
