Arriving at university for the first time is likely to be both exciting and scary! It brings both challenges and opportunities and it is good to think before you go (and continue to consider) how to face the challenges and make the most of the opportunities.
It is likely that you will meet people who are very different from you and who think very differently from you. It may be tempting to either hide away in your room and only attend Church or CU events or, alternatively, to just embrace the way of life you see around you.
Being different
Christians are called to honour God by living holy lives that are distinct from those around us (see Jesus’ call to be ‘salt and light’ in Matthew 5:13-15). There are many ways in which you may stand out as a Christian – the fact that you go to church, that you don’t swear and that you care more about other people. But it is likely that you will be most distinct in your sexual ethics and conduct.
Throughout history God’s people have stood out from those around them by the way they treat other people and particularly in their sexual ethics.
Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
2 Peter 2v11-12
We live in a highly sexualised world where there is often pressure to be in a relationship and to be sexually active. Going against the tide, you may feel that you will be seen as weird if you don’t behave like those around you and that may be true. Be careful not to be tempted by their way of life, in order to try and fit in.
If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”
John 15v19
We remember the words of Jesus that warn us that just as the world hated him so it will also hate us and ‘even accuse us of doing wrong’. This doesn’t mean that we should deliberately try to be hated, but if we follow Jesus and live according to his ways, you will offend some.
For some their strongest witness will be by living out a faithful and pure life before the eyes of their fellow students. This may in itself give opportunities to explain your faith to those around you. As Jesus encourages us, ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.’ (Matthew 5:16).
It is not always necessary or wise to speak up, especially if it provokes a face to face argument. You will need to pray for wisdom about when and what to say. But the Lord may open up other doors of opportunity as a consequence of the current sexual climate.
