By: Megan Smith

“Going to a Christian college would be taking the easy way out.”

After attending a public high school, and being the leader of the Fellowship of Christian Students, it seemed silly to move from a place where I was able to share my faith as part of a minority group in the population to a university where I would be in the majority. I felt it wouldn’t be enough of a challenge to my faith.

As it turns out, it was quite the opposite.

I realized just how much my faith would continue to be challenged when I decided I wanted to pursue a theology program, which is seldom offered at secular universities.

All summer I waited anxiously for move-in day to come. Senior year had been exhilarating and exhausting, and while my faith in the reality of God never quivered, the way I lived in response to that faith did. I allowed my relationship with God to suffer because it was no longer first on my list of priorities; things like friendships, homework, and work—even work in the church—began to consume me, leaving God in the dust. Looking ahead, my class schedule and roommate were figured out, and I had a beautiful perception in my mind of what college life would be like: Bible studies, classes, hanging out with friends, worship, and an easy opportunity to grow deeper in my faith and theology. My perception, again, was wrong.

Somehow, I thought that the spectacular combination of being an independent college student and living on a campus with other believers would make Christianity easy; quite the contrary.

Over just a few weeks, I’d trained myself to pretend that going to Wednesday morning Chapel, Bible studies, and a new church each week was enough to make me feel like I’ve committed enough of myself to God; but “enough” wasn’t enough anymore. My devotion time was scarce—just because professors began class with a prayer didn't mean that the class made me any closer to God. I was mistaken to believe that my thoughts, lifestyle, and theology wouldn’t be challenged.

Just because I am enrolled in and residing at a Christian campus does not mean that Jesus is automatically integrated into everything I do. Just because we are young people involved in ministry, within a Christian environment or not, does not give us the right to be complacent and assume that our “Christian slack” will be made up for elsewhere—including and especially by our mere presence in a Christian environment.

What if we were intentional about waking up every morning and giving each moment of our day to God? What if we were intentional about being members of a greater community, and about practicing what we preach? What if we were more eager to know Christ and swim deeper in our theology? What if we were intentional about doing good to and for those whom the world says don’t deserve it, letting the actions of Christ actually permeate into our lifestyle and resound in our hearts?

What if, rather than waiting for our lives to be miraculously transformed by the faith of those around us, we passionately and steadfastly seek out who Christ is for ourselves? It is then that we will be rescued from the shallow depths of our pretend faith, because while all we have to offer will never be “enough,” His grace is.

Discussion Questions: In what areas of your life can you be more intentional? What does intentionality in your community look like?

See more devotions from Megan and our other Young Adult writers, or find our how you can become a writer yourself at our By Young Adults for Young Adults devotion page.