When I was in High School I never had a dream college I wanted to attend. I had an idea of what career path I would pursue and knew that God would place me wherever I needed to be. Senior year began I applied to different schools, some close to home, some not so much. After receiving acceptance letters (rejection ones too) I still didn't know where I envisioned myself for the next four years. But a few weeks before “decision day” I chose. I chose a school six and a half hours away from my family, friends, church, my home, and my comfort zone. I made this decision by asking God to give me peace, so late March I decided.
“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Genesis 28:15
Leaving
Saying goodbye was difficult. On my last Sunday at my church I cried from the minute service began until later that night. I was an emotional mess. Saying goodbye to so many people at once and realizing that I wouldn’t sit in a Sunday service at my home church for months was hard for me. I tried to remind myself that this was going to be an exciting and new season but at that moment I was hit with a wave of sadness. That following Friday was move-in day. My family and I drove up Thursday morning and they helped me set up everything in my dorm the next day. Emotionally I was doing okay, I was taking the day minute by minute and focused on unpacking. But when the time came for them to drive back I lost it. I cried and hugged them tight. I couldn't believe that I was actually going to be away from them. But I pulled myself together and continued to ask God for peace in my heart and in theirs.
Facing Change
Change is difficult. It can be overwhelming and exhausting. Making new friends, remembering names, and becoming accustomed to a new environment can be challenging. I remember when I realized how limited my time at home was and how unready I felt for this new season, fear crept in, doubt entered my mind, and I began to rethink my decision. Questioning whether or not this was the school God wanted me to attend, letting the opinions of others become my own, and realizing how much I would miss out on. But on my last Sunday at my home church, I felt God’s reassurance. I felt His unwavering love and His reminder; that wherever I went He would be there. He would be my home, my friend, my family, and my church. I was reminded that this new season of change would be a season of growth and stretching. I knew that during the change coming I would have the opportunity to pursue my dreams. And I knew that in this season God was going to test me, mold me, build my life, but most importantly continue to show me how great His love really is.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you now that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3
Stepping out of Your Comfort Zone
My family, friends, home, and church are my safety blanket. That is where I feel most comfortable, most secure. Six and a half hours away from all that, is definitely out of the reach of my safety blanket. I have always tried to do things that would force me out of my comfort zone, I worked on becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable. But this, leaving home on my own for the first time was really pushing me out of my “zone.” Leading up to my final days at home I asked God everyday to give me peace, but not only myself but to the people around me who were also facing change and being pushed out of their “zones.” So when I arrived at school and didn't know many people I had to push myself to build relationships with others. And for me becoming comfortable with others is hard. I’m a private person and don’t like to share personal things with many people, but sometimes that can seem as if I don't like someone or I am uninterested. Pushing myself to really get to know people was my most difficult task. I knew I had to work to meet people that I wanted to surround myself with. Joining a club and attending school events helped and when I began to see the same faces it was easier to strike a conversation and become comfortable with people. But as you make friends and acquaintances remember it is okay to be alone some days. There is nothing wrong with eating lunch or exploring the campus on your own. Everyone's comfort zone is different. For some making friends comes easy, for others being on their own is the challenge. And that is okay, as long as we continue to push ourselves we are making progress.
Making Time for God
Leaving my home church was so difficult for me. Before knowing there was a church close to my school I thought I would only be able to watch live streams. But with the help of a pastor I learned of a church that is only a short walk from campus. I remember on the first Sunday I was going to attend I was so nervous. For majority of my life I have attended the same church and became very comfortable with the people there. As I walked to church that morning I talked to my mom on the phone and she reminded me I would be fine, but that it wouldn't be like my home church. And she was right it wasn't at all like my home church, but I loved it! People were so welcoming and the service was great. Finding a church here has really helped with my transition, it’s allowed me to meet new people who are also freshman that attend my school. But whether or not there is a church near your campus it is so important to set time aside for God. College can get very busy very fast but if we take a few minutes during our day to listen to worship, complete a devotional, or pray we have made an effort to grow in our relationship with Him (Quality over quantity). Even if you pray in the shower or listen to worship on your way to class, you are trying, you are putting in effort to get to know God more than you did yesterday. In 1 Corinthians 9:24 it says “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” Run to God, not because your pastor reminds you each Sunday to do so but because this is YOUR race; and only yours.
If like me you are finding yourself in a new season remember that God is using this moment in your life to stretch you, to mold, and shape you. All muscles need to be stretched, if not our bodies can begin to feel cramped and sore, like our spiritual lives. When you don’t use your muscles your brain sends a message that they are no longer important. In response your body stops supporting your muscles, which causes them to shrink. Don’t allow your spiritual muscles to shrink. Exercise and stretch them; because the more they shrink the harder it will be when we begin to exercise. Let go and give God the room to stretch you.
Love,
Briana R.