It may not seem like it because of what the news and media portray, but nothing should appeal to college kids more than Christianity. There is a huge misconception that if you are a Christian, you can't have fun in college. People think you have to give up any chance of fun and adventure if you want to follow Jesus. And not only that, but due to the current stigma associated with Christianity, students are often asking themselves, "Why on earth would I want to be a part of a group that is so judgmental and hateful?"

Despite what you've seen, heard, experienced, or believed, Christianity should be the most appealing religion, belief system, and way of life for every college student.

You see, we are all at this point in our lives where we feel unstable, excited, terrified and unstoppable. We have some of our highest highs and lowest lows during this period of finding ourselves and discovering our futures. But even with all of these big decisions and changes, most of us are still looking for the same things.

We are all looking for someone to tell us what to do with our lives. While we enjoy the freedom that the future brings, we also are looking for guidance. We want help deciding what our major should be, where we should live, what job we should apply for and what relationships to pursue. How terrifying is it that this small period in our lives plays such a huge role in determining what the rest of our lives will look like? Thankfully, it doesn't have to be so scary.

Christianity offers a unique type of guidance that is unlike any other. We get to experience the help of the ultimate counselor. In Jeremiah 29:11, God says "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." The wonderful thing about being a follower of Christ is that God assures us that he will guide our decisions and not only lead us to where he knows will be best, but he also promises to help us through the times when we make the wrong decision or when we struggle to find our way. As college kids, it should be so assuring to know that someone has promised to show us what to do with the rest of our lives. We are given the freedom to choose our futures, but how comforting is it to know that God already knows where we will be and what we will accomplish?

We are also looking for someone to tell us that struggling is okay and that failure is natural. Romans 5:3 says: "but we also glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance." As Christians, we recognize the biblical truths which promise us that in this life, we will still experience great suffering and hardships. Accepting Jesus doesn't promise us an easy life, but it does guarantee that our suffering will be worth it and that one day we will be free from our trials. It is comforting as a college student to hear that failure is okay and struggling is normal. That bad test grade, failed opportunity, or closed door is perfectly okay. We have a perfect God who loves us and our imperfections. Not only that, but we are told that God's "power is made perfect in weakness.Therefore [we can] boast all the more gladly about [our] weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on us" (2 Corinthians 12:9). So not only is suffering and failure okay, but as students we are able to boast in our failures because God's love pours out to us even more in those times of failure and trouble. Our failure is his strength, so he's always got our backs and we always have his stamp of approval.

Despite what our culture says about immediate satisfaction, God's community offers more joy and fulfillment than any night out, hookup, or drug can provide. Our culture glorifies these worldly pleasures, but the truth of the matter is the joy that comes from so many of these college adventures is temporary. A night out turns into a headache and a hookup turns into a heartbreak. Christianity offers a loving community filled with permanent hope, joy and promises. And the great part is we still have fun. We are still normal people who go out, experience life, and have adventures.

We may not be seen at the biggest parties on the weekend, but that doesn't mean we are sitting in our rooms, contemplating life's biggest questions with a bible on our desk on a Saturday night. Christianity simply protects us from some of the pain that the world offers, while also providing us with a lasting joy and supportive community. While it might be fun to explore all of college's crazy adventures at first, there comes a point where the joy of the world just isn't enough. And that's where God comes into play. I'm not saying you have to give up your lifestyle to be a Christian, but God has a way of changing our priorities. You might even find yourself skipping a night out voluntarily because God has something else in store for you.

Because we are in a phase of life where we aren't tied down to anything or anyone, we all want to feel like our life has more purpose than just our grades, our majors and our careers. We may be excited for our future, but we all have the desire to feel like our live's have more purpose than just our future employer or income. Romans 13:8 commands us to "love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law." Our purpose in life is people. We are ultimately placed on this earth to build a relationship with Christ and with others. Our purpose can be fulfilled in any career, any nation and with anyone. God promises to use us wherever we are. So rather than worrying about where to go, what to study, what job to take, or who to be with, we should focus instead on people. It is comforting to know that no matter where I go, what I choose to study, or where I end up working, my purpose will still be fulfilled because I will be surrounded by people. This takes so much of the pressure off of us and allows us to do what brings most people the most joy: surround ourselves with others and build relationships.

And finally, we all want to feel loved and accepted. While I know that many people don't view Christians as loving or accepting, that is a problem with the Christian, not with Christ. Romans 5:8 says "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Despite what Christians in the media might say, what protests you've seen, what hateful comments you have endured, God is a loving God who thinks you are incredible. He saw you in your broken and sinful state and saw you as perfect. He loves you unconditionally no matter what you've done, where you come from, or what you've been told about yourself from the world. Christianity should appeal to you because God is the only person who will ever love you and accept you no matter what. It is freeing and inviting to know that despite my worst convictions, weakest points, negative self-image and horrendous failures and acts, I am still loved and accepted by the God of the universe.

So despite what this world may tell you, Christianity should be the most inviting thing in the world to us as college students because it is the only place where we are told that in our current circumstances and struggles, we are enough because God is enough.