Why bother with church?

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Hebrews 10:24,25

The “college experience” is a delicate balance of class, study, campus involvement, other extra curricular activities, and trying to maintain a social life. Students walk around stressed out and severely sleep deprived. They become so caught up trying to survive the college whirlwind that their spiritual lives take the backburner. Having a time to meet with the Lord daily takes effort. Free time on the weekends is highly coveted. Facing the daunting task of finding a local church to become involved in becomes just one more thing to do, and one more thing to be procrastinated. If students do manage some church shopping, they try to remain unnoticed on the back row, comfortably uninvolved, and sadly unfulfilled by the wonderful things that a community of believers has to offer.

Get ready to see the world!

There is a lot to be said for settling down in one place, putting down roots, and flourishing in the place where you are. College is a great time to do this—to grow both as a person and in relationships with those around you. Take advantage of the opportunities that four years of relative consistency will give you! At the same time, in college it’s sometimes easy to take this to the extreme and get so involved in the campus bubble that the rest of the world sort of disappears. The word I want to use for this is “tragic”… although that might be overstating it just a bit. Maybe.

Who do you think you are?

You’re midway through the first semester of the year.  A lot of the newness has worn off, replaced with the busyness of everyday life, assignments, tests, and activities. At some schools, rush has already happened, replaced by pledge pins and people in bright new letters; at other schools, you’re waiting for the start of next semester to go Greek, with this semester full of preview parties and meet-and-greets. No matter where you are, you have no doubt been inundated with opportunities to join up with other students: clubs, Bible studies, honor societies, leadership organizations, student government, intramural teams—the list goes on and on. Hopefully you’ve found a place in one, many, or all of them, filling your schedule with too many activities to count and your life with a host of new friends.

Having a stressful week? Repeat after me…

I will not be a student forever.

I will not be a student forever.

I will not be a student forever.

I will not be a student forever.

I will not be a student forever.