Many college students are just now moving away from home and are experiencing the feeling of making your own decisions. These decisions range to anything from buying groceries or even if they should wake up for class. One thing that seems to be the least talked about is our devotion to a higher cause. Many college students choose their time wisely because of the rigorous course load and as a result, forget to add their Sunday worship into the schedule. I can say that I have run into this problem. Even though I have so little time, I have still held onto my faith, but many have not.
Many other students have either forgotten about their faith over time or they have simply decided that they no longer hold faith in God. The latter of these two other outcomes has a direct link to many of their Atheist or Agnostic professors. They feel as if they speak out against these professors that it could be the end of their college experience. Then there seems to be a chain of events that occur. Some of their peers start to align their beliefs with their professors. This leads to a little thing we call “peer pressure.” Yes, our middle school friend is back in the form of “peer pressure.”
Students start to feel as if they need to conform in order to fit in instead of challenging the status quo. This is where I drew the line. I didn’t want to cave into this. I challenged myself to hold strong to my beliefs. I feel it is something that most Christian college students should try to do.
The scripture that I feel best relates to the temptation of college students is found in Matthew 4:8-10. “Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Notice that Jesus did not try and pressure Satan into coming back to the light.
In saying this, I do not believe in wanting to go and change the minds of your peers. We all have choice in how our lives go. Instead express to them the reason why you have held onto your faith through temptation such as Jesus did in the book of Matthew.
The reason I encourage others to hold onto their faith is that they are able to see the good that God has in store for them. Push through the challenges that have been given to you and you will be rewarded. One of the challenges that students now face is completing college. Remember that when it gets tough that God is only trying to speak to you. He is reaching out to you for acceptance of his help.
Remember what God said to Joshua in Joshua 1:9. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Keep your faith and you shall be rewarded. If not in this life, then possibly the next.
