Belmont University - Freshmen First Forty DaysSample

Day 25 – Transition

When moving from high school to college, you have to leave a lot behind. Maybe you left behind some physical stuff that wouldn’t fit in the car, but you also left some deeper things. There are friendships that were built on being together, and those will change as you move into your new life here. There were patterns of behavior that were part of your “old life,” but you will quickly establish new habits. And now that you are not living under the same roof as your family, you’ll notice a dramatic difference in the flow of each day from what was once your rhythm of life.

Coming to a Christian university means that you will find all around you people and opportunities that can be a part of your new life of exploring a deeper relationship with God than you ever had before. In the midst of a time of dramatic transition—as if to remind himself of what to be sure to build his new life upon—King David of Israel wrote:

“As for God, his way is perfect:

[in contrast to the meandering paths we might forge on our own]
The Lord’s word is flawless;

[in contrast to the advice we might get from our culture or dream up ourselves]
he shields all who take refuge in him.

[because we need a place to hide in a world that can be hard at times]
For who is God besides the Lord?

[though we may be tempted make “gods” of other things and people]
And who is the Rock except our God?

[since I need a solid foundation beyond the shifting sands of this world]
It is God who arms me with strength
and keeps my way secure.

[so I need not depend on my limited strength, but on the One who cares for me]
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he causes me to stand on the heights.

[because God wants the best for me, I can trust God and God’s ways]”
–2 Samuel 22:31–34

May the new habits you form, the new rhythms of life you establish and the new friendships you make all be rooted and grounded in the love of God.

TODD LAKE | Vice President for Spiritual Development