As a Christian, it is always a challenge in any area of life to overcome the desire and needs that society makes us think we want. The college experience has undoubtedly been a hard one so far (yes, already, in my first year). No, I am not just talking about just the college party life but about the hardships, doubts, and being unconfident in my success in school, work, and activities. It is just past midterm time and I haven’t been here too long, but I am experiencing challenges already.
I tend to question a couple of things: What if I am not choosing the right major? I told myself this is God’s plan for me but I am not one to make that decision and it’s hard as a student who always needs a plan and structure to see that my plan may not be His. How involved can I be without overwhelming myself? What are my priorities? Okay, okay, yes, I am a first-year so no, my classes are not the hardest I will ever take. But when trying to handle my classes, my work schedule, and trying to join clubs and do everything at once it can be exhausting. God needs to be my focus in everything I do but how do I fit Him in when I barely have time to think for myself.
Probably a bigger question that many Christians have: Can I have the party life (post-covid please) but also follow God’s word? This has always been hard for me because I see people who love Christ and are some of the best people I know but still love the party scene. Is it wrong? Who am I to judge? How much is too much? Following God is not easy, there are desires that we need to overcome. Something that brings me peace is that God has mercy, and we are human and we are not perfect.
We will make mistakes and He will forgive and guide us as long as we let Him in. And even if we think everything is going great and all of a sudden it is not, that is no reason to blame God, he is here for us. For everyone, even those who are not of faith: It is okay to mess up, it is okay to rest, take it one step at a time, we are the ones who are going to pick ourselves up and tomorrow is a brand new day. And luckily for me, I am barely getting started so I know I have plenty of time to change, go back, spin around, and change again since I still have 4 years ahead of me. But God will be there with me even if I decide to change my mind when I am 30 years old.
No matter how successful we are or how impressive our resume is, the world needs people who are kind and faith-filled, and as followers of God, we need to be more like Jesus. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened. And I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).