College is hard; that isn't much of a surprise. Whether you're brand new to the experience or a seasoned pro, you will face a time in your college career that threatens to overwhelm you. Between having papers to draft, projects to craft, and homework to hurry through, your study life alone will be chaotic. Throw in a love life, time for friends, and scheduling visits home and you'll be wondering if you even have time to sleep.
And then, if you come from a Christian background, you have to throw faith into the mix. You've got to add Sunday morning worship, prayer time, and bible studying. Top it off with volunteer time at a church or singing with the praise band... Your plate is already full as is! Why even bother with those things anyway?
I will admit, when Sunday morning rolls around and your mom and dad aren't there prompting you from bed, it is so easy to 'accidentally' sleep through the alarm you set. It's easy to reprioritize the time you've set aside at night to read the bible into cramming more homework in.
But, what if there was a way to both keep your grades and your faith up in college?
As a student who goes to a private Christian university with a little over 1000 other students, it would seem as though having faith in college would be pretty easy for me. I mean, we have worship services three mornings out of the week and an evening student-lead worship service on Thursday nights. Not to mention the floor bible studies, Christian speakers that come to visit, and other faith-based activities on campus, my faith must be set.
Let me tell you, though, it can be rough. Having to put on a smile and pretend that everything in your life isn't falling apart is really hard. But I have come to find that every time I force my faith, I feel even more distant from God.
It is the moments when I was really honest with myself, with my friends, with my teachers that I really connect with my faith. When I pray instead of freaking out about a late assignment, or when I read my bible instead of going to bed right away. When I actually pay attention to a chapel speaker or Sunday sermon instead of day-dreaming.
I'm not going to say that being a Christian in college is easy. Being a Christian anywhere isn't easy! And whether you go to a private Christian university or the biggest secular party school in the state, you will have to make the decision if your faith in God is worth it enough to pursue.
And I encourage you to always say yes. No matter where you are, God will speak to you if you simply listen. Don't let the things of this world block your view of him, and you will be amazed at how brightly He'll shine in your life. You'll no longer dread waking early on Sunday or reading your bible between classes. You'll actually come to enjoy those things, and be able to give glory to God through your servitude.
1 Timothy 6:11-12
But you, [people] of God, flee from [the world] and pursue righteousness, godliness,faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
