Three Takeaways for the College-Bound

Through the window of the side room of the restaurant I could see the cluster of seventh grade girls, clad in Miss Me Jeans and Uggs weighed down by their Vera Bradley backpacks, walking over from their middle school. I had pitchers of iced tea and baskets of chips and queso already on the table waiting for them.

Because this was our regular Wednesday after school routine I had learned from experience how to maximize our hour of Bible study by minimizing distractions – like placing the order ahead of time and requesting cell phones be left in the middle of the table upon their arrival. Even still, staying on topic with twelve thirteen-year-old girls was no easy task. But God promises his word will not return void, so as long as they were willing to meet so was I.

Fast-forward another six years and these same girls are days away from moving into their college dorm rooms. It’s an exciting time but my heart is also heavy. Heavy because of the predominent hook-up and drinking culture on college campuses that will leave them vulnerable to temptation and sin.  And the allure of false gods they will turn to only to be left empty and in despair. Depression is at an all-time high among college students and honsetly I’m not surprised.

Of course, it’s easier to not think or talk about such things, but we must. They must not be naive. They must know their proclivity to sin, be aware of their weaknesses and see their need. Because when we know we are needy, we know we need Jesus and live in greater dependence of him.

This is what I hope for “my” girls so today at a Mother/Daughter Prayer Brunch send-off before they leave for school, I shared three things I hope will serve as tools as they navigate the reality of college life.  Maybe it’s what your college son or daughter or friend needs to hear too. So to them, I say:

1. Remember Who You Are

You are a Child of the King – Sons and Daughters. Accepted and Loved. Redeemed by a Savior. Declared Holy and Righteous according to Christ’s perfect record for you. He took on your identity so you could have his. This is your most sure Identity. An identity of infinite value and worth.

• So on those days when you feel inadequate, like a failure, worthless, alone – Remember who you are.
• When you are beating yourself up over your sin and filled with regret – Remember who you are.
• When you are tempted and stressed – Remember who you are.
• When you are looking to sorority/fraternity letters, a boy/girl, a friend group, a GPA, an experience to give you worth – Remember who you are. 

Remembering who you are is knowing His performance merited your perfect standing so your imperfect performance won’t ever change that. Remembering who you are is not a license to sin but an invitation to rest in the freedom of his grace.

2. Be Mindful of your Soul Holes

We all have a God-shaped hole in our soul that only God can fill. The problem is ever since Adam and Eve believed Satan’s whispering lie that God was withholding something good from them, humanity has bought into the same lie. We seek after other things to fill us, believing happiness and “life” will be found.  Whatever those things are that take the place of the God on the throne of our heart are false gods that can never permanently satisfy.

False gods may be material objects, but more likely idolatry will come in the form of:

• Seeking affirmation and attention through social media “likes,” funny SnapChat (now Instagram) stories, clever captions, wearing cute outfits, or showing off you “hot” body.
• An insatiable desire for acceptance and worth evident in the way you look to secure it through your Greek letters, certain friend groups or a boy/girl.
• It may be the craving for affection, attention or love apparent by a  willingness to cross boundaries by engaging in the hook up culture.
• Or, falsely attaching your worth to your performance may cause things like grades and leadership to become idols.

Good things become false gods when you make them ultimate things, turning to them for your security and worth. So be aware of your heart motives, why you do the things you do and how you try to plug the soul holes.

Seeing your sin and acknowledging it honestly is a good thing because again it is there that you see your need for Jesus and live more dependently on him.

3. Unite Yourself to the Body

To live dependantly on Christ includes dependent living, connection and commitment to his bride, the church, which he gave to us as a gift.

• Apart from his word and his people you will drift away. It is imperative that you regularly place yourself under gospel preaching and teaching. It is your life line and food for the soul.
• You need other believers involved in your life – not just your peers but older people who can come alongside you as mentors and speak truth into you.
• There are also people who need you – your gifts and talents. Don’t view the church as what it can do for you, but how you can invest and  serve others. Not just when you are older, but now. Look outside of yourself and your own world and invest and serve the body you plug into.

May God give you the desire to live to his glory. And may you always know his deep, deep love for you.