Thank you for Beyonce’s halftime performance at the Superbowl and further proving who runs the world…She does. Thanks for the much-needed cold front that gloriously glided its way back to us, as I really wasn’t digging the whole blasting the air conditioning in my car in the middle of January thing. The weather has been awesome and so have you. So can you help a girl out with another question?
Are you there, God? It’s me, Molly. No. But this time for real. Where you at?
Faith just came easy in high school. Youth group on Wednesdays, church on Sundays, camp leader during summers. My clique of gal pals were freaking supportive as can be and referred to as the “God Squad” for crying out loud. I had a solid group of guy friends who stuck with me through my every awkward stage and wouldn’t dare test my limits. Pressure wasn’t a problem. My decision to not be a “party girl” was implemented with respect and support from my peers. I felt you there, strengthening my morality and careful decision-making.
Where are you now? Why is faith in college so taboo?
I have to work harder at keeping up with my faith than I do to keep up with my classes. I mean, I’m no saint by any means, as you know. It’s just so much easier to go out with all of your friends than it is to walk into a new Bible study by yourself. It’s more appealing to be known as “fun” than “holy.” Getting attention from cute guys is fun. Turning them down is not. Getting dressed up and letting loose with the girls is always a good time. Being the only sober one at the bar is not. We’re exposed to so much, how do we know what’s right?
I’ve always worn this independent, I-don’t-need-no-man attitude with humble pride. Moving hundreds of miles away from home to go to school was no exception. College is the first huge step of independence in life and I’d like to think I’ve been rockin’ it all right on my own. I mean, Destiny’s Child (and countless others) have taught us that being independent is essential to avoiding Scrubs and a mediocre life. Thus, I’ve made sure that I’ve always depicted a strong, self-sufficient human. But what about the things I can’t handle on my own?
I feel like I’m in the Britney Spears-esque phase of “I’m not a girl, not yet a woman,” and I’m just trying to figure out my place in this chaotic life. I find myself putting off prayer so I can go fall asleep sooner and not deal with the pent-up problems brewing inside. I often pass up reading my Bible because I have so much to read for my classes. I get so caught up in my little life that I often lose sight of the truly important things. That’s not who I am or who I’ve ever been. So what is it that makes me slip out of my child-like faith and into this detached monotony?
Skepticism, differing beliefs, busy scheduling, hypocrites. The list of excuses goes on and on. I think it’s time I stop whining about the challenges in college and begin looking at the blessings that go along with it. This isn’t about religion, it’s about relationships. My faith is my motivation and I should probably take action about it and shut up already, right?
Faith may be hard in college, but wasn’t it Dr. Kelso from Scrubs who said, “Nothing worth having in this world comes easy”? He was about as old as you, God, so I’m gonna trust in that.