The start of uni can go one of two ways: to some it is all an exciting world of wonders, whilst to others it feels more like a manic minefield to endure. When I started uni, I was ready to take hold of every opportunity in front of me. But with most consisting of costumes, party tickets and hangover lunches, I never expected to leave and launch a young women's mag for God. In fact, the launch of Clarity was probably just as much of a surprise to my peers!
You see, all the time I was trying to validate myself through the uni-jungle, I'd missed the mark. The irony is, that God had already qualified me for the most valued assignment out - sharing the Kingdom.
So whether you're struggling or flourishing, I’ve compiled our top-three alternative assignments for uni to help you make the most of uni with Jesus. Because God has already qualified you...
Assignment one: FOCUS
There’s a lot to take in in the first semester. Among all the courses and crowds, societies and socials, everyone begins to find their own focus.
Honestly? My first semester, partying was priority. I focused on friend-making and the popularity race. And I wanted to achieve that first-class degree too. I did not realise all this had shifted my focus; I was working myself into a spiral of self-judging and edifying. But the good news? God was focused on me. And he's focussed on you too! The bible states that his thoughts towards you outnumber the grains of sand!
Give it a go, make Him your focus. Remember that he is focused on you! He knows every lecture, conversation and career choice that awaits you. As we meditate on the truth that he is focused on us, slowly but surely, we can’t help but shift our focus to Him.
Assignment two : FAITH
I’m an over-thinker, I get 'what-if' syndrome. 'What if' can convince you that things might go wrong, that you'll be mocked for sharing your faith or inviting friends to church. 'What if' can lure you out of leaping for God.
But what if all we need is a little faith to succeed?! We are given authority to ask the outrageous, to make a reality out of the 'possible' and 'potential'. For me this started with small steps: "What if my flatmate would come to church?" Then the leaps got slowly bigger, until one day: "What if I could launch a magazine to challenge media-authenticity and empower Christian women?" Our ‘What if’s can go down in history! God tells us in the bible to ask for nations, let alone campuses.
Give it a go, start with small ‘what if’s and share your faith in a seminar. Whether it's with your work, your housemates or your local church, your faith can move mountains.
Assignment three: FREEDOM
Great, now your focus is in place and the faith fire is started, you're free to try and free to succeed!
Yes, there may well still be knock-backs from prickly feedback on coursework or peers not understanding your faith. But God has already qualified you; you are free to just try. You are free to be honest with friends, free to go to church or even miss it, free to share your faith, free to ask the impossible.
For me, this freedom means being free to dream bigger and take risks. I thought I was going to work for a leading title in London, or become a TV presenter. But as I looked for the God-opportunities, Clarity landed on my desk. A year on and through the support of non-Christians and Christians alike I can now stand and share my faith with hundreds of young women, freely! I'm not saying we all need a ministry, just a kingdom mindset, for we are free to try.
Give it a go. You are qualified to spread light in the everyday; be free to do so!
Take a look at Taylor and her team's Clarity Magazine and why not order one as a tool for uni now!
