I recently had lunch with one of my students who is about to embark on a new journey in his life: Freshman year at college. During our conversation we discussed lots of things such as girls, life, and dealing with hard situations. I fear for the upcoming class of 2017/2018. I fear for choices that are about to be made that will have life altering consequences and I’m writing this to encourage, challenge, and build up freshman who are about to enter this exciting new phase in their lives.

When I spoke with Jordan I gave him four things to remember:

Have a Firm Foundation

At every turn, college will have this luscious appeal of everything being truth. From professors to the kids you party with, everyone will attempt to mold you the way they want. It’s okay to be challenged, and quite frankly, for some people it might be good to have their metaphorical house crumble to the ground and begin rebuilding their thought process on truth. However, if you are a follower of Jesus, you must maintain your ground and foundation on Jesus (John 14:6). Don’t be fooled by “fast food” answers. Let them challenge your belief system and seek out the truth for yourself. But don’t believe everything you hear.

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (Read all of 1 John 4) 

 College Will Change You

The college life is fun, new, and chaotic. It’s a chance to be free from your bad high school past and move on with the whole world at your doorstep. However you act now will most likely not be how you will act when you graduate. For some people, you may be more outgoing. For some, you may be more mature and focused on your school work. It would be ineffective for me to list everything you may become, but my word of advice is to be you. God has created you specifically for “such a time as this” to be yourself. He hasn’t called you to be anyone that you love or adore. He has called me to be Justin Boothby. Your attitude, emotions, and even your weight will change (make sure to stay fit), but don’t ever let someone turn you into someone Jesus has not called you to be.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well…How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.” Psalm 139:13-14,17-18

Guard Your Heart

Freshman year will leave your mouth and eyes dry as you walk around campus the first week. Ladies, you are going to see some gorgeous guys. Men, you are about to see some drop dead gorgeous girls. But as I told Jordan today, don’t fall for the first girl who seems appealing. Don’t just honor God, but also your future spouse this year. On both ends of the co-ed world there will be guys and girls using others to get what they want. Take the time to get to know other people before you rush into anything that you may regret in your future. Not all things that look and even feel good are necessarily pleasing to God (ask Adam and Eve, they know a thing or two about that).

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

The final thing to remember is this:

Pick and Choose Your Friends Wisely

When I wrote that phrase, I immediately thought of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. If you don’t know what scene I’m talking about, here is the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H3rdfI28s0

When you arrive on campus and sift through different college opportunities, you will have to choose the people you want to hang out with, and this will be a major decision for you. Like the Holy Grail, there will be several options for you to choose from, but like I have said above, not everyone who looks good on the outside will be the best on the inside. Therefore, always remember to choose quality friends over quantity of friends. Proverbs 18:24 says, “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” I pray this year you would find godly men and women in your life that you can be real and honest with. Don’t seclude yourself to only Christian friends (That doesn’t benefit the Kingdom in any way), but make sure you know who you can trust.

Conclusion

I want to challenge you, wherever you are, and whatever school you are going to, be a light. Show the love of Jesus in all of your actions and be humble. It’s okay to be wrong as long as you’ll admit it. Show love and forgiveness to others even when they don’t show it to you (Matthew 5-7). And don’t ever forget Isaiah 40:28-31.

If you ever need guidance, help, or advice, don’t hesitate to contact me on Facebook or through email. I would like to pray for you specifically so that you may be blessed and strengthened in your college career. You have the ability to do all things through Jesus, who gives you strength (Philippians 4:13), so go and conquer the world one class at a time!