Ladies, ladies, ladies. We are so silly! This week, my friend and I found ourselves wishing and waiting for words of affirmation from the boys in our life, but upon reading the "Jesus Calling" devotional this morning came to such a reality! Why on earth would we search for words of affirmation from someone other than the Lord? It finally clicked for me this morning why we are truly called the Brides of Christ. God is the boyfriend who has and will never let us down, who never ceases to remind us of our worth and rarity, and will never stop making us feel special.
In a relationship with God, we as women drown in words of affirmation! Psalm 139:14 says, "You are beautiful for you are fearfully and wonderfully made." This is the compliment that simply cannot come from anyone but God. This is the satisfaction that will not be gained from a text or snapchat. Jesus is so consistently making us his priority and fearlessly showing us off. He screams from the rooftops, "she is more precious than jewels and nothing you desire can compare with her," (Proverbs 3:15). One HUGE mistake we make is seeking acceptance from anyone other than and sometimes everyone, but God. Doing this can lead to feeling inferior.
This is not okay. In any worldly relationship we do not hesitate to give all our attention and affection to our partner, so why is it that we do not give God the attention he so constantly deserves? God is forever so faithful and devoted to us. God "put a ring on it" a long time ago. As we get older, the topic of discussion amongst girlfriends is our love life. And if our love life consists of an actual boy and not pints on pints of a love affair with Ben & Jerry's Half Baked and diamonds (after all they are a girl's best friend), we find ourselves beaming and smiling from ear to ear as we talk about them. Instead, I want to be beaming and cheesing and jumping up and down giddy for my relationship with the Lord. By all means, when he calls you cute or compliments your smile, please take it! But our attitudes and daily life should not be dependent on whether he said "Good morning beautiful" or whether he even thought of you for that matter. God is always thinking of us and that thought alone should be enough.
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Luckily, many colleges offer a number of ways to take part in campus and community life, without forcing you to dedicate all of your time to these organizations. Here are a few ideas!
1. Look into Housing and Dining.
Many first-year students start off college life in residence halls, and the Housing & Dining network throughout campus often provides multiple opportunities for students throughout the year. Many buildings have student community councils that work to create policies and events that make the dorms a more welcoming home for residents. Becoming a community assistant (or the students who work the desks at the front of many halls) is another easy way to have a consistent, well-paying job only minutes away from your room.
If you really enjoyed your housing experience, consider applying to be an RLA, or, if the school offers it, help to teach the first-year community. You'll get the chance to help support new and returning students over the year, and many of these positions also cover major costs like board and meal plans.
2. Pay attention to campus postings.
This advice is more obvious, but it still gets overlooked a fair amount. Even on a busy day, taking the time to stop around campus and look at the flyers advertising clubs and events can draw your attention to something that you never would've noticed otherwise. Students on many campuses also chalk the sidewalk to catch students' attention while they walk to class. Just make sure that the event you're interested in hasn't taken place already!
3. Find common interest groups.
One way to find friends and get involved is to focus on what you're passionate about. Have you always loved to sing? Do you enjoy playing video games? Is photography your favorite past-time? Have you always wanted to join Greek life? Whatever you love devoting your time to, chances are there are organizations around school who are focused on the same thing. Check the student life section of your university's website, or stop by a student organization fair at the beginning of the semester.
4. Join an intramural sports team.
If you're the athletic type, you've probably heard of intramural sports. Often offered through the Rec Center or the residence halls, most colleges often offer various indoor and outdoor sports to take part in throughout the year. Personal favorite? Mini golf.
5. Work on a cause that you care about.
Whether you're passionate about a political group, a social cause, or a religion, working with people who value beliefs similar to yours can be an easy way to meet people, get a better sense of your own identity, and promote causes that are important to you. Look into getting involved with College Democrats, Republicans, or whatever party that you belong to. Find a club that supports social issues, from women's rights to protecting the environment. If you're religious, look into student organizations based on your faith.
6. Join a club related to your major.
Even if you're not entirely sure what you want to do after school, finding a club or organization related to your field of studies can benefit you long after you leave the classroom. From career-related workshops to conferences to professional connections, these groups have a lot to boast.
7. Get an on-campus job.
If you have the time, need to work, or want to save a few extra dollars, finding a job on or near campus is a time-effective way to build up your bank account and gain work experience. Check in your residence hall (see #1), at local businesses and offices, or make an appointment with your school's career center.
8. Volunteer.
When you're caught up in school life, it can be hard to think about the bigger picture. Volunteering your time to people (or animals/an environment) in need puts things in perspective and allows you to feel good while making a positive difference. Check if your college town has a volunteer page, or look up local organizations requesting help.
Best of luck this year! Get out, and get busy.
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