College Bound!

Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” (2 Timothy 2:19 NIV)

I have a grandson going away to college this fall. He will be attending Dickinson State University in North Dakota. I know, I'm getting old. He and his father just made a visit and Klayton got his official acceptance today. He will study music and wrestle on scholarship. He is a great, talented, young man with a heart that has accepted The Lord. But, I know what's ahead for him. College and the freedoms of being on your own has it's price. Billy Graham talked about college students. They are so anxious to strut their independence. They yell from the roof tops they need to make their own way, discover their individuality and yet, at college, all they do is conform. The pressure of the crowd is so powerful, they don't gain freedom, they lose it. They lose nearly all of their independence by following the crowd. They never gain it back. When they graduate from college, they want to settle down, search for the perfect job, and build the perfect life. It's not possible unless they put Jesus in the center.  There is a battle on college campuses. I hope and pray my grandson has the strength to stand up to the pressures to rebel against God and make destructive decisions. It's not easy to go against the crowd. It's an internal battle and ca have massive consequences. Keeping Jesus at the center of the battle is the only way to win.

Life is full of irony. To gain your freedom, you need to lose it. To live you need to die to your selfishness. To lead you need to serve. Going away to college is not where people learn to think on their own. College is a place to learn to think like everyone else. It's sad, but true. The only real freedom we gain, in this life, is through our commitment to Christ. He alone can grant eternal freedom. He alone can grant you all that you look for. He alone is the only way to acquire eternal life. Your so called independence is false. You are either conforming to the world or conforming to Christ. One grants a life of slavery, the other grants a life of real freedom, grace, and love!

Lord, protect my grandson. Protect him from making destructive decisions at college. Help him to stay focused on you and enjoy a life that is blessed by you. Help him to enjoy the real freedom that comes with a commitment to Christ. Amen!