Grow in Your Relationship with the Lord

May 10, 2022 • JP O.

As college students, we always put the things that we consider our priorities at the top of our to-do list. Activities such as studying, working out, or hanging out with friends become part of our daily life and habits, but we often forget to put the most important thing first that can help us during this journey of college — our relationship with God. I am not saying that doing all those other things is not beneficial. In fact, I think they are essential to our college lives, but having a relationship with the Lord above all things is far more valuable. Jesus said in Matthew 22:37, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your mind.”

There are many ways one can develop a strong relationship with the Lord, and they are as simple to remember as they are to follow. The first would be to have intimacy with the Lord — find a place where you can go and sit for a couple minutes and just talk with God. Tell Him about your day and ask Him about decisions or things that you want in your life. Jesus is waiting to have a conversation with you — stop and have a moment with Him.

Read, study, and apply the Bible. The Word of God is filled with wisdom for anything and everything you need. Questions about life, love, death, finance, purpose, and many other topics can be found in the Bible. In your alone time, take a moment to also read your Bible and apply the things that you learn there in your everyday life.

Find a community and/or friends that share the same ideas about growing in the Lord. A church, a Bible study, and a men’s/women’s group can all be beneficial. When you start attending one of these groups, don’t only sit there and take it in — get involved! Help in every way you can, be an active member of the community, and create or ask for responsibilities within the group. This will not only strengthen your faith and your relationship with God, but it will make you a respected member and will create stronger bonds with the people in the group.

Let God be first in your life. There are many ways one can become a better person and be happier in life, but nothing will ever complete and satisfy you like God’s love. Remain in Him and His word.