Trust me, I get it. As I approach my senior year in college, I can confidently say that school is filled with distractions. Advertisements are all over campus telling you to "join this," "eat this," "drink this," "buy this," and other false instructions for life. Even looking at a bulletin board on campus overwhelms me with so many flyers pinned up telling me how I should be living out my days in college.

What do I choose? Which ones are the "right" experiences for a true college experience?

Trying to live out that stereotypical college lifestyle is a huge distraction on campus: trying alcohol, skipping classes, and maybe even kissing a few boys, all because you need to "try it at least once." Or at least your peers and the media say so. I admit to falling for it early in my college career.

Sisters, or even brothers who may be reading this, let me affirm you in one very important fact that took me a while to grasp:

We are not of this world. We are citizens of Heaven! Don't forget your true purpose for living this life as a new school year begins.

Paul makes this very clear in his letter to the Philippians. He warns the people that our purpose is to wait for our Savior, which includes all aspects of our lives. Instead of turning to that college stereotype, wait for the Lord to provide you with all you need. In reality, this is the way more satisfying then any other idols or methods of sinful fulfillment that we turn to.

I want to challenge you to set a new stereotype in college this year: boldly proclaim your status as the daughter of the King of Kings (be The College Christian!). Find others who will build you up in truth rather than lies. Let's set aside time each day to spend time with our Creator instead of wasting it in front of Netflix, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. Let's show people on campus the TRUE meaning for love, living as true children of light that will shine for those in darkness.

"Only let your manner of life be worth of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I amy hear of you that you are standing firm on one spirit, with one mind, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel." - Philippians 1:27

Our campuses NEED a new stereotype. Who's ready to set some new trends with me?

"So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation." - 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8

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