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Day 12 – Community
If you are reading this, then congratulations! You have officially been a Belmont Bruin for 12 days—and that is an accomplishment. I know that sounds incredibly silly, but it’s the truth! If your experience has been anything like mine was (back in 2011), then you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed. If you are anything like me, you may be panicked that you’ve already cycled through every single cereal flavor in the caf…twice. You may be wondering how you are going to survive that 8 a.m. class for an entire semester (why is getting up early so much harder in college anyway?). You’ve probably even asked yourself,
“How many more awkward ‘what’s your major?’ conversations is it going to take before I find my people?” You know the “people” I’m talking about. The “people” described in Philippians 2:1–2—the ones who share the same heart and mind!
The summer before I came to Belmont, I heard a piece of advice that I’ll never forget from my high school mentor. She told me to hold my gaze upward, toward my creator! She assured me that if I could manage to keep my focus on the One who doesn’t change in the midst of a season that seems to be changing constantly, that everything else would fall into place at just the right time.
Man was she right! Somewhere around day 12 of my Belmont journey, I remembered this advice and decided it was time to give up all efforts to build my community in my own strength and start trusting my loving Father to do it for me! Now, I don’t mean we should sit around with our fingers crossed and wait for friends to magically appear—not at all! Instead, lets seek the One who gives perfect direction first and trust that he will point us where we need to go! While God will provide a Christ-centered community, He invites us to participate! Galatians 6:2 tells us that we are fulfilling the law of Christ when we bear one
another’s burdens. If you are feeling burdened by the desire for a life-giving community today, you are so not alone! Chances are, there are at least one or two people living on the same floor as you that are hungry for the same exact thing.
MEREDITH REITEN | TT, Senior Social Entrepreneurship major
If you are reading this, then congratulations! You have officially been a Belmont Bruin for 12 days—and that is an accomplishment. I know that sounds incredibly silly, but it’s the truth! If your experience has been anything like mine was (back in 2011), then you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed. If you are anything like me, you may be panicked that you’ve already cycled through every single cereal flavor in the caf…twice. You may be wondering how you are going to survive that 8 a.m. class for an entire semester (why is getting up early so much harder in college anyway?). You’ve probably even asked yourself,
“How many more awkward ‘what’s your major?’ conversations is it going to take before I find my people?” You know the “people” I’m talking about. The “people” described in Philippians 2:1–2—the ones who share the same heart and mind!
The summer before I came to Belmont, I heard a piece of advice that I’ll never forget from my high school mentor. She told me to hold my gaze upward, toward my creator! She assured me that if I could manage to keep my focus on the One who doesn’t change in the midst of a season that seems to be changing constantly, that everything else would fall into place at just the right time.
Man was she right! Somewhere around day 12 of my Belmont journey, I remembered this advice and decided it was time to give up all efforts to build my community in my own strength and start trusting my loving Father to do it for me! Now, I don’t mean we should sit around with our fingers crossed and wait for friends to magically appear—not at all! Instead, lets seek the One who gives perfect direction first and trust that he will point us where we need to go! While God will provide a Christ-centered community, He invites us to participate! Galatians 6:2 tells us that we are fulfilling the law of Christ when we bear one
another’s burdens. If you are feeling burdened by the desire for a life-giving community today, you are so not alone! Chances are, there are at least one or two people living on the same floor as you that are hungry for the same exact thing.
MEREDITH REITEN | TT, Senior Social Entrepreneurship major
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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We would like to thank the students, faculty & staff of Belmont University for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: www.belmont.edu
