Yesterday, it happened. The rumors are true, college doesn’t last forever. I put on the cap and gown, moved my tassel to the left, and crossed the stage. Four years at the University of Florida summed up on one piece of paper. It’s surreal, and I’m still not sure how I feel about everything. As I’ve been reflecting on my past four years, here are some thoughts on college. And since this is The World Race, of course there are 11 thoughts.
1. Search for grace. It took me over 19 years to recognize grace. Now, there is freedom and fullness of joy. Grace brings God glory, so of course he wants to show it to you. If you don’t see it, look, ask, and then accept it. Grace is infinite which means you have the rest of your life to see it differently. Start now.
2. Rest. You don’t need to have everything figured out. You’ll sign up for classes, take exams, and write papers. I promise you’ll get it all done. You can choose to be stressed while studying or you can rest knowing that your degree isn’t dependent on you. Your Savior is sovereign, and ultimately, he holds your future in his hands, not your professors. You can stress out trying to understand God. You can work for his love. Or you can rest knowing it’s not yours to get. It’s his to give. Let him give you life. Let him be your source.
3. Dream. Learn to dream with God. Let him shape your desires and mold your heart. Soon you’ll be dreaming the dreams of heaven. When that happens, go after them. Apply for the long shot internship, change your major, decide to live out of a backpack. Go for it. Hand in hand with the Dream Giver.
4. Let God move. You have no clue how much he can do in your life in four years if you just give him a shot. Go on that mission trip that sounds scary. Spend time with him. Take him up on his promises. Ask for what you want. Look at him, and watch what happens when he captivates you. God can move beyond what you can hope for and in ways you can’t even imagine. All you have to do is let him.
5. Live in community. I can tell you that nothing has impacted my last four years more than the way God has worked through the girls in Bible study. I see different views of God in them. They encourage me when I feel defeated, speak truth when I hear lies, pray for me when my heart is exhausted, and carry my burdens when I’m not strong enough. They know me and love me. They point me to Love himself, and Love never fails.
6. Be real. This doesn’t mean just telling people how much of a terrible sinner you are. It means being yourself. Laugh when you think something is funny even if no one else is. Tell them the truth when it’s hard. Tell them the lies you believe. Tell them when God feels far away. Tell them when following God doesn’t seem worth it.
7. Listen to your friends. After living together for several years, they will know you. Which means when you refuse to go to a dance party, let them change your mind. Because when you’re sure it’ll be miserable, they’re sure you’ll have an amazing time. And they’ll be right.
8. Disciple. For anyone who knows me, you know how much I love these sacred hours each week and undeserved relationships. Be discipled and learn from someone wiser than you. Then see how much you don’t know when you disicple someone else. Watch God move dispite yourself, and see him show up in ways you never thought were possible.
9. Fight for your friendships. Friendships aren’t going to be perfect. At some point your favorite person will be hard to love. And trust me, you’ll be hard to love too. But that’s okay. Know they have more worth than you can understand. If Jesus says they are worth his death, then they are worth your effort, rejection, and tears. Call them when they ignore your calls. Invite them even when they’ll reject you. Pursue them 100% even if they won’t pursue you. Pray. Seek the Lord. Love out of the overflow. Friends aren’t always easy, and love rarely is. But remember, love endures all things.
10. Opposites attract. And birds of a feather flock together. Friends who are the same as you are convenient, but don’t neglect the fact that one of your best friends may be completely different than you. If you wear gym clothes all the time, you need someone to do your make up and shape your eyebrows to remind you that you have beauty. If you love getting dressed to the nines and looking your best, you need someone who doesn’t care if you wear pants to remind you that you’re valuable just the way you are.
11. It’ll end. College doesn’t last forever. That’s obvious and you already know it, but trust me, you’ll forget it. Pull all nighters to study, because you’ll need that degree. Pull all nighters for fun, because Steaknshake is open 24/7 and a sunrise on the beach is the perfect ending to a great night. If all you do is study all of the time you’ll regret it, and if you never study, you’ll regret that too. Make friends. Have fun. Study hard. Remember your purpose. Remember your God. And know that these aren’t the best four years of your life. But they’re pretty dang close.
