For many of us college students, winter break has provided a wonderful escape from all college responsibilities. Hopefully we're making the most of our time, whether we're relaxing at home, catching up with friends, or giving into our yearning for adventure and exploration.

But that's just it. Too many of us don't make the most of our time because we simply were never taught how. We settle for cheap thrills thinking they're the best life has to offer. Sure, those cheap thrills are fun and easy to come by, but they only last so long. They're gone in the morning and we're still left feeling empty with a yearning to belong. So the cycle continues and we head out the next morning hoping to discover another cheap thrill to fill the emptiness inside just to get through another day.

You see, we were created for deep meaning and relationships. But we've lost what it truly means to have relationships in this fast paced, technology driven world. Hours are spent on our phones; relationships are built over computers....and only computers. We have slowly lost our ability for face to face conversation. Feeling board or uncomfortable? We have the immediate solution in our pockets! It seems as if our brains are trapped inside our phones.

Another problem in today's society is instant gratification. If we want something, we order it on Amazon and have it the next day! If we're hungry, we go to the drive-through and have a hamburger in minutes. Because we never have to wait for anything, we have lost any sense of true gratification and appreciation for something.

These cheap thrills are followed by long term damages. We're left feeling hollow and empty over the years and are always yearning for something more.There's a God-shaped hole in all of us and we hastily try to fill it with worldly things. We chase after distractions and act on impulses. But in the end, only God can fill that God-shaped hole in us. And probably a little cut-back on social media and instant gratification would help create a more meaningful life.

So as winter break is coming to an end and the new year is upon us, let's seek to lead a more meaningful life by filling that God-shaped hole with God and learning how to wait for things. Let's take a break from social media and stop comparing ourselves to others. And when you're waiting for a meeting to start or are stuck at the bus stop, look up from your phone and make conversation with those around you. I know we don't like to talk to people because our society has painted it to be scary or just not what you do. Most of the time we think we have nothing to talk about. But talking to people and putting time and effort into forming face to face relationships is the exact opposite of cheap thrills. God created us for relationships with others as well as with Him. We are relational beings.

So seek out those meaningful thrills to live a meaningful life, remembering that your relationships are some of the most fulfilling thrills of all.