I have always been a Christian; however, me being raised in a church had ultimately been the choice of my parents. While I have always agreed with the beliefs of Christianity, it had never completely been my decision to go to church as my parents always had a say in attending each week. However, after going off to college my parents were no longer around to take me to church with them, and the choice of continuing to pursue my faith became completely my decision.

This freedom I gained in my faith brought me to the realization of how much it truly meant to me. Without my parents around, I was able to realize that I genuinely had a desire to attend church and pursue my faith, it wasn’t just something my parents forced me to attend or forced me to believe. I became fully aware of the significance that my faith held in my life, and I was able to grow tremendously because of this realization. My faith no longer felt like an obligation, it instead began to become something that I genuinely desired.

2 Peter 3:18 states, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” College has genuinely allowed me to grow in such a way, and I am so thankful that my freedom has allowed me to learn about the importance of my faith in so many ways.