Reconciling God With College Life

As I was leaving the South dorms the other night I saw a girl, clearly drunk, urinating on the side of the building. It was an extremely odd moment for me, as my thoughts and emotions varied from awkwardness, wanting to laugh, confusion, pity, and finally, sadness. I was confused as to why anyone would take a substance that had the capacity to cloud their better judgment. I pitied her because she couldn't have really comprehended that she was urinating outside and the next day she'd probably have no recollection of doing so either. But most of all I was sad because I realized that many students on this campus and those all across the country are just like that girl. Maybe they have never urinated on the outside of a building, but they get drunk, smoke and literally party their lives away. Some are more controlled in their habits, but the common denominator is still some substance use which has the potential to lead to substance abuse.

I know I am a rare species, because I have never drank, smoked, or partied; but it's because I never saw the fun behind those activities. Should I get drunk so I become unaware of what's going on around me? No, I'll pass. Or maybe smoke some pot? No thanks again. Alright, what about going to a party where it's dark and hot and music which is degrading or just pointless, compels me to allow someone to grind on me as if we were animals - yeah, right. Not to mention, the grinding that takes place at parties often carries over to the bedroom or for some people, the front seat of a pick-up truck (another thing I witnessed on campus before).

Once you dig deeper you find that there is a true connection between these people - smokers, drinkers, and partiers - they are all lacking something. Whether they realize it or not, there is something missing in their lives and they are trying to fill that void with some insufficient substance.

College can be a very difficult time as many students travel miles and miles from home, exams and papers are regular occurrences, and you really begin to come into your own as an adult. During these trying times, many students turn to the aforementioned activities for comfort and escape from hours spent studying. Or in some cases, peer pressure sets in and just because everyone else is doing it, one feels compelled to join in or risk their coolness. And then there are those who once said they would never be involved in such practices but eventually, their conscience became weaker and they lost all conviction. But really, what purpose does drinking, smoking, and partying serve? Do you really care that little about your body that you would subject it to potentially harmful substances? After the DJ stops spinning that record are you still happy? When you lay down at night is your soul at peace? Maybe I'm thinking too deep or analyzing these situations too much, but I've come to the conclusion that half of the things most people do in life are pointless and bear no positive fruit.

There are definitely those who get consumed in the nightlife, start skipping classes and end up failing; then, on the contrary, some students are able to maintain their academic success. These students are really no better than the drunk who is failing or the girl urinating outside, what they do in the dark just has not come to light, but it will. So what is my point, to put myself on a pedestal for having never drunk, smoked, or partied? Am I claiming to be some holier than thou immortal figure? My response to both is an emphatic "No!" I could write about the fires in California, the drought in Georgia, the war in Iraq, political candidates, etc., but to do so would mean overlooking what I see every day right in my face. There will be wars, there will be droughts, and there will be famines, illnesses, crime and any other atrocity you can imagine for years to come. With that reality in mind, I recognize the fierce urgency of now; there is no time to engage in wasteful acts.

Let me be even more frank. This world will not exist forever so we need to begin considering the fruitfulness of our current labors to not only our lives but the lives of others. Yes, I do believe in Heaven and I do believe in Hell and I believe that Jesus will return as the Bible foretells. Call me a crazy Christian or whatever you like but I am convinced of the realness of God. Who created the Earth? Where did this universe come from? How do the sun and moon remain suspended far enough from Earth so that we are not harmed? How do the tides and waves know just when to stop so that they don't spill over to land? How do you explain cancer being removed from someone's body by simply praying? The natural man seeks scientific explanation for all of these things, for he does not believe in God or anything he cannot see. But the spiritual man recognizes the power, works, and wonders of the almighty God. I know some people are angered when others force their beliefs and are probably furious at this point, and they might have been with me until I mentioned God. But I am unashamed of the gospel and I beseech you to recognize my true purpose. I cannot force you to believe anything, for we all have free will, but I think there comes a time when we have to examine ourselves.

For those of you who do believe in God, are you guilty of participating in the destructive acts I mentioned? If so, where is your regard for the holy being you believe in and what he has commanded us not to do? My intention is not to give a sermon, but my purpose is to move some people to change. And on the other side, there are so many lost people in this world who are one disappointment away from committing suicide or who cry themselves to sleep late at night because they are not whole. There are students right here on campus that have been abused, mistreated, not loved, and even raped and try to cover their pain with alcohol and partying. It is my duty to inform you all that there is a way out. There is something out there that can heal your wounds and mend your broken heart. You don't have to objectify yourself, degrade yourself, or sell yourself short. There is someone who has always loved you and always will love you, unconditionally and he is God.

Caresse Spencer is a 5th-semester political science and journalism double major. She can be reached at Caresse.Spencer@UConn.edu.