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Day 31 – Faith
The longer I am at Belmont (and frankly, I’ve been here longer than most freshmen have been alive!!), the more I realize that new students seem to arrive on campus immersed in one of two very divergent states. Some have that “deer in the headlights” look that betrays their understandable fear of the unknown. “How am I going to live? What will I eat? Is the food in the car even edible?” (NOTE: The caf is pretty amazing!!)
Others are more like the proverbial “bull in the china shop” determined to take full advantage of their new level of social freedom. “On my own at last. I can come in whenever I want. I LOVE 4 a.m.!” (NOTE: This may or may not have been my own approach to freshman year!) May I recommend a third option for you? May I encourage you to come in faith—not in fear and, umm, not in foolishness? Faith.
No fear? Jesus gave us the promise: seek the things of God, and He will take care of the things we need—after all, He knows we need them. But the promise comes with another sweet benefit. When we seek the things of God in faith, there’s no need to worry. No worry! No fear. I especially love the words of Jesus, “Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”
In another place in the New Testament (2 Timothy 1:7), we are reminded that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” So again, we find that we do not need to live in fear and worry. Notice, however, that concluding statement: “…of a sound mind.” That term is often translated “self-discipline.”
No foolishness? I know, it’s college. It’s supposed to be fun, right? Sure, PART of college is supposed to be fun. But there is more to college than fun, and when we really seek the things of God, we find that a wholesome balance of fun and self-discipline serves us well…and pleases Him!
So come in faith. No fear. No foolishness. God will bless you and meet your needs. You will enjoy your freshman year. And—unlike me—you will be much happier with your GPA when fall semester ends!
RICH TINER
Professor, Media Studies
The longer I am at Belmont (and frankly, I’ve been here longer than most freshmen have been alive!!), the more I realize that new students seem to arrive on campus immersed in one of two very divergent states. Some have that “deer in the headlights” look that betrays their understandable fear of the unknown. “How am I going to live? What will I eat? Is the food in the car even edible?” (NOTE: The caf is pretty amazing!!)
Others are more like the proverbial “bull in the china shop” determined to take full advantage of their new level of social freedom. “On my own at last. I can come in whenever I want. I LOVE 4 a.m.!” (NOTE: This may or may not have been my own approach to freshman year!) May I recommend a third option for you? May I encourage you to come in faith—not in fear and, umm, not in foolishness? Faith.
No fear? Jesus gave us the promise: seek the things of God, and He will take care of the things we need—after all, He knows we need them. But the promise comes with another sweet benefit. When we seek the things of God in faith, there’s no need to worry. No worry! No fear. I especially love the words of Jesus, “Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”
In another place in the New Testament (2 Timothy 1:7), we are reminded that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” So again, we find that we do not need to live in fear and worry. Notice, however, that concluding statement: “…of a sound mind.” That term is often translated “self-discipline.”
No foolishness? I know, it’s college. It’s supposed to be fun, right? Sure, PART of college is supposed to be fun. But there is more to college than fun, and when we really seek the things of God, we find that a wholesome balance of fun and self-discipline serves us well…and pleases Him!
So come in faith. No fear. No foolishness. God will bless you and meet your needs. You will enjoy your freshman year. And—unlike me—you will be much happier with your GPA when fall semester ends!
RICH TINER
Professor, Media Studies
About this Plan
This 40-day prayer plan was written by students, faculty and staff at Belmont University as a daily devotional for incoming freshmen. Each day guides and encourages new college students in their faith in Jesus Christ through the word of God and the sincere thoughts, seasoned advice and honest prayers of the contributing authors. May these words help you grow in your love for God and your love for others!
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