As many enter adulthood, there is often an urgency to reinvent one's identity. Some dye their hair purple. Others stay up until two in the morning on a routine basis. A few even change their names. One of the most common examples of a person's rediscovery of how they truly want to be is seen in how they choose to worship once on their own.

For my entire life, I was told of the ways in which adulthood, specifically college, had the power to shake my faith and the firm foundation I had with God, which I have been building since a young age. Once I moved out, I would no longer have my parents there to hold me accountable, making sure I keep up with routine worship and maintain good habits. There was the chance others may dissuade me from my Christian faith, arguing it was irrelevant to today's times, or even question my intelligence because of the hope I find in a God we are unable to physically see.

"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 12:2

Here are the facts. I was raised to place my trust in God through thick and thin. My parents, friends, church, and other family members have placed an extraordinary amount of time and effort into building up my Christian identity.

"I taught you to swim, so if you sink in the deep end, it's on you."

My dad has been telling me this since I first began looking at colleges, and as my first semester of college begins to wrap up, I have found how true that statement is. I am on my own. It is up to me to plan the right time and place for worship. It is up to me to uphold my morals. It is up to me to find a solid community to hold me accountable. I have more responsibility now than ever, and it has given me the opportunity to blossom like never before.

If we are not careful, going to church can become simply a routine, rather than a special opportunity to praise God for all He has done and continues to do in our lives. My worship now is not something I do when I am bored, or when I find it convenient. It is something I have to work for and build in time for. For example, I know I have a paper due in two weeks. I have time to work on it now, so it is up to me to complete it in a time that does not interfere with the time I have set aside for worship.

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe," - Hebrews 12:28

For weeks, I struggled to find the right way to set aside time for prayer. There always seemed to be something going on, or someone else in the room with me. I struggled to have any uninterrupted conversations with Him. Thankfully, God did what He does best and provided a special place and time for me to pour my heart out to Him. It looks nothing like what I often see on social media (You know those pictures with a fresh cup of coffee and a Bible opened up with a window overlooking a majestic mountain,) but it works for me.

"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen." - Matthew 6:6

You know that sidewalk that has loose bricks and gets muddy after it rains? That is where some of my best prayers have taken place. Remember those tiny dorm showers I complained about over a month ago? We talk a lot there too. Some find strength by praising God through a storm, but I find it by confiding in Him through a lukewarm shower. No place is unacceptable. After all, God can hear me anywhere.

"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." - Jeremiah 29:12-13

And as for group worship, I have never been more involved. I'm not sure what some people mean when they say public education silences God. My public university has over a dozen Christian ministries. If I want to go to a Bible study every day of the week, I have the opportunity to do so. Guys, don't blame the school system for the students of my generation falling out of their faith. The opportunities are there if they are willing to take them.

Being in college has allowed my faith to truly become my faith. My parents are no longer in control of how I worship, but I have chosen for myself I want to grow closer to God in every aspect of my life. I have the power to choose which church I attend on the weekends when I stay on campus (yes, sometimes I go to a "rock 'n' roll" church - I am eighteen after all,) and I also have the responsibility of strengthening my faith through the trials I face. When times get hard, I look to Him. When I have questions, I open the Word. When someone insults me, I put on my metaphorical WWJD bracelet and move on.

"I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10

Do others have different beliefs from me? Yes. Do others around me disagree with me? Yes. Welcome to the real world. True faith is not hiding from those different from you; it is looking at those people in the eye and standing strong when they say you are wrong. It is viewing the world, and not becoming part of it. It is seeing God no matter where you are, who you are with, or what you are doing. Trials can break you, but, even then, God's love can strengthen you.

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." - Romans 5:3-5

As I entered college, my life felt like a mess with all the little things I couldn't control. I had no idea who my friends would be, or even if I would make any friends. Little did I know, as I was praying, months before even moving out, God was forming the most amazing group of people I could have ever asked for to go through freshman year with; however, even with such an awesome blessing as that, there are still uncertainties in my life. I have no idea where my career will take me, or even if I have chosen the correct major. I have no guarantee I will pass all of my classes within the next four years. I have no idea when or if I will meet a potential spouse. Essentially, I have no clue what my future will look like, except for one thing: God will be by my side every step of the way, and He has some amazing things planned.

"For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. - Habakkuk 1:5