“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” Robert F. Kennedy said this, and this quote is one of my favorites. I relate to it on so many levels, especially when it comes to life as a Christian college student.
People warned me ahead of time that college would be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. The classes would be harder, the workload would be more intense, and the peer pressure would be overwhelming. I was warned that keeping my faith would be hard. Although this was all true, my trust in God has never been more real. I look around campus every day and I can't understand how people go through college without knowing God.
So I come back to Robert F. Kennedy’s quote. I have failed greatly during my time as an undergrad. I’ve made bad decisions and messed up beyond repair, so I thought. But every time I fail, my God forgives. My friends are there for me to help me get back on track. Even on my worst days, when I’m as worldly as I think I can be, my God is there to forgive. And having Him as a friend and a Savior helps me achieve my goals.
When people ask me what the most important thing in my life is as a college student, I respond by saying, “My faith in God.” I don’t say money, my major, or even my family; those are all gifts from God. But my faith is important to me for a couple reasons.
First of all, it keeps my genuinely happy. Even when I’m stressed and want to quit, I’m happy. This happiness seeps into every part of my life. I’m comfortable with who I am, what I have, and with my friends. I don’t feel the need to look to other things to fill the void. I don’t have to go out on the weekends and seek happiness from the bottom of a bottle. I can stay in with my friends and laugh and joke around and create beautiful memories. I will remember these memories and I will remember my undergraduate years. I don’t have to worry about not remembering what I did last night or if I messed up. My principles as a Christian provide genuine ways to be happy and create memories.
Second of all, I have a support system better than any other. This starts with God. I know he is walking with me every step of the way. I know I can go to Him with anything and everything and He won’t love me any less. And he has blessed me with friends that have turned into family. I live with some of these friends. Others, I can see on campus or when they visit. We are all so close and connected. I thank God every day for Him and for these amazing friends.
I can’t imagine having any of this. I can’t imagine feeling the need to step out into the world and listen to what other people tell me to do so I can be happy. I can’t imagine having my God with me every step of the way. For these reasons, my faith in God is the most important thing to me as a college student in today’s society.
My favorite Bible verse, Romans 12:2 (NKJV) says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
