A couple of nights ago one of my very best friends and I went on our usual Sonic Drive-In run and proceeded to the beach straight after. Amidst the conversation, I found myself thinking about the importance of community in college.

She and I spoke about of our most favorite moments in our college career, most of which involved the community that we have acquired over the past four years. This was when I began to realize that there is a small but significant line between just having "friends," and having a real life-giving community.

My community consists of my sorority sisters, friends in other sororities, and friends from home. These are the people that hold me to a standard of grace, without judgment.

These people are not just the people who I go out with on a Friday night or after a sorority function, but the people that take the time to invest in me. Keyword: INVEST.

With our culture nowadays, most people are just concerned with having people to go out with and have a good time, but what about when life isn't as smooth?

Who is going to be at your apartment at 2 AM when you think your world is crashing down and the guy you invested a piece of your heart into just isn't that into you anymore?

Who is going to be by your side Sunday morning when you're attempting to fill that void in your heart and yearning for true love that nobody of the flesh and in this world can provide?

Having community is not the mere art of having friends to go to dinner with, but having a constant force behind you always.

When you don't have the strength just to keep trying, these are the people regularly communicating with you and investing IN you.

While we might always have "friends," let us assess if we are surrounding ourselves with a life-giving community.

After all, we are called to live in a community and be that for those who are struggling.