First off, salutes to you.

If no one else tells you, just know that I'M proud of you for accepting to keep your faith strong throughout the next chapter of your life.

But don't let distractions put you off target.

2004. Matt Emmons. Olympic Games. Know the story? Well if not, let me share it with you.

Matt Emmons, an American rifle shooter, was competing to win his second gold medal and all he needed to score on his next shot was a 7.2 and the gold would be his. There wasn't much worry there, given he hadn't scored below a 9.3 on any of his previous shots. Emmons took aim at his last target, focused in, and took his shot - bull's eye.

Gold, right? He'd won the gold???

Well, no actually. He hadn't. Emmons had made the rare mistake of cross firing (shooting at the wrong target), earning a score of 0. The man who was one shot from 2 gold medals, had dropped down to 8th place.

It doesn't happen often, but it happens. And as a Christian, it can be very easy to let distractions get you off target - especially in college.

You're on track one day. Your eyes are fixed on God. Then the next day, you've drifted away to the target in the next lane over. It may be cheating, it may be sex, it may be drinking. But whatever it is, you've taken your eyes off God and placed them on a target that isn't meant for you.

It's easy to slip up, and it's okay when you do. That's because God's grace is super duper amazing and never ending. It's okay to be weak and depend on God. That's what He intended on us doing. Just don't make the wrong target your target, because in the end you'll only come in last place.

But the Lord said, “My grace is all you need. Only when you are weak can everything be done completely by my power.” So I will gladly boast about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can stay in me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

Aim for God. HE IS THE GOLD.

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed - that exhilarating finish in and with God - he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.

Hebrews 12:2

God only wants to protect you. When you feel like you are missing out on something because you're trying to stay true to your faith, remember that God has your best interest in mind.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

So keep God first this year and the years to come. Surround yourself with people who surround themselves with God's Word. The road may get hard and the distractions may come, but with your eyes on God, you're bound to win the gold medal.