In a few short days college will start for me, and I know many of my friends will start sooner. These verses hopefully calm you as you prepare and ease you as you arrive on campus and start this new journey!
1. "I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead." Philippians 3:13
This verse speaks volumes to what exactly is happening in our lives right now. Many of us are leaving towns we grew up in, towns we haven't left except for vacation. If your like me, your hometown was small, everybody knew everybody and in turn everybody knew everybody's' business. But no matter what happened or what you did, "forget" it. In this verse, God is saying to us the past is the past, your mistakes, bad grades, whatever it was is the past. "Forget what is behind." Forget the past. Now in this next line of the verse God easily could have said look forward to what is ahead, but instead he chose "struggle". Anytime you move forward in life, a struggle is possible. God has a perfect plan for our life. Often his plan does involve a struggle of some sort. The struggle in no way means a lack of love or care, but often it is a way of preparing us for what is ahead. In this verse God means that we will "struggle for what is ahead," but the struggle will only prepare us for what HE has instore. Take this verse with you to college as a reminder that what is behind is behind for a reason, and despite the struggle you face, there is a wonderful plan and purpose in action.
2. "You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail." Proverbs 19:21
Going into college, many of us have a major and plan laid out for our life that fits what we want. We have to learn, if you haven't already, that we aren't exactly in control. This may come as shock if your like me and like to be in control. Yes, there is a purpose and a plan that you have not made for yourself. And yes, you can try and fight it, but "The Lord's purpose will prevail." God is in control; He has a plan laid out for our life before we even enter this world. Our plans may seem right, but His plan, His path is the one we will ultimately take.
3. "So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead..." 1 Peter 1:6
These are changing times. We're leaving home, we're going off on our own. These are happy times we once looked forward too. The fact that these times have worked out and I am truly experiencing "wonderful joy" shows the truth to this verse. I have kept this verse present in my life and bible studies as a reminder of what is to come, and to see it come once, just shows I should continue to have it present. I'm thrilled to share this verse with all my friends going into college. Like the last verses discussed their maybe struggles, and our plan may not be met, but we/you will experience a "wonderful joy" when the future comes.
4. "Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit." 3 John 1:2
This verse is one to pray on for all of our friends back home. The friends who are coming with you, staying home, or going on their own journey. As we go these new experiences, we may fall off some, the communication may slip, but "I hope all is well." Pray this for your new friends as well, even the ones you've yet to meet. God has our friends we will meet laid out, so pray that they are doing well just as you should do for the friends you already have met.
5. "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7
If you're like me, you have seen and heard many college students talk about anxiety. It seems inevitable to escape. This past year I became anxious during my exam week. I stumbled across this verse during that time, and once again putting the verse to life proved it to be true. I scored well on my exams (even got the IB Diploma). Let go of your anxiety, give it to Him "because He [does] care for you." He cares for you no matter what, the past and present won't change the fact that He cares for you. So in this new journey, "Cast all your anxiety on Him."
