I have avoided writing articles on religious topics since starting to write for the Odyssey. Not because I am ashamed of my faith, I am not at all. But, because I wanted to have the perfect topic for when I did decide to write a religious piece. I tend to be a perfectionist by nature and never want to put anything short of great out there, and for me, a religious piece deserves extra attention of perfectionism.

But, after attending Without Walls this past Sunday, I have decided to write my first religious piece due to the conviction I felt in my heart. The sermon we heard had the topic of fulfillment. For me, this could not have been a better topic to hear about in a place of complete and utter vulnerability.

Sophomore year is a time when you start picking your feet up in the area of what your future will be. With that, you begin the internship search so you can gain real-world experience. Offers either roll in, or they do not. It can be offers that you are absolutely pumped for, or offers that you simply take just so you can add some sort of experience to your resume.

Whatever it is, it is an extremely exciting, yet scary time in your life. It is also a time where you find how fulfilled you feel in life. And, in fact, college as a whole serves as a time in your life where you see exactly how accomplished you feel and how much of a purpose you feel you serve. I have had many things to be proud of since my nineteen years of living, but none could give me the same purpose and fulfillment as being a follower of Christ.

I know that may sound cliche to some of you that may not be religious or have a strong walk, but it is so completely honest and true. I have been a well-decorated competitive figure skater, competitive athlete, public speaker, I have met the coolest and some of the most famous people- One Direction, Iggy Azalea, Shawn Mendes, Nicholas Sparks, Scott Eastwood, but none of that matters.

Why? Because there will always be something more accomplishing I can do. There will always be someone that I cannot know, but wish I did. And there will always be an opportunity I cannot have, but strive to want. That does not mean I am a failure or that I am not accomplished, but it means that I cannot simply do everything I want and still feel accomplished or fulfilled because there is a greater hunger for fulfillment within me. This is due to how we were created. We were created to want to serve a greater purpose.

To have a relationship with the greatest being and mystery of all, and that is Jesus Christ. The maker of the heavens and the earth. The maker of you and me. The creator of miracles. And knowing Him is way cooler and rewarding than meeting my favorite actor or singer. Because through Him, I become fulfilled. Through Him, I have identity. And through Him, I know where my purpose in life will lead me. And in that alone, I find fulfillment and accomplishment.

Because of my relationship with Him, I do not need anything else. That does not mean I do not want to be successful and continue to strive for more and more, but it is proof that He is real because He fills a void that nothing else can fill. AND THAT is why I believe.