Spiritual Drifting is a normal conversation when I talk with Christian college students. This phenomenon happens because many don’t have a spiritual gauge or spiritual frame of reference in their personal lives. They live in a constant pressure to do "good" things that aren’t necessarily "God" things; consequently, those “good” things become ultimate and before you know it, the Spiritual undertow is too much to bear.
Hebrews 2:1 “We must therefore PAY EVEN MORE ATTENTION to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away.
Don’t allow something good in your life to become what is ultimate. I’ve found that it’s the “good” things that the enemy uses to distract great Christian leaders, leaving them stagnant in their faith.
What college students focus on, they drift towards. Consequently, something gets left behind; Unfortunately, it’s oftentimes their personal relationship with Christ.
Where are collegians drifting? It’s not the occult or something that appears “Evil” that collegians are involved. It’s “good” things in life that become ultimate.
Here are the top ten:
1. Hanging out continuously with friends
2. Playing video games
3. Hours of movies & TV
4. Jobs
5. Social Organizations
6. Dating
7. Facebook & Twitter
8. Parties
9. Busyness
10. Pressures to make 4.0
These activities aren't bad things themselves. In fact, most of them are good, but not necessarily beneficial to our faith and may promote drifting if measures aren't taken.
"Everything is permissable for me, but I will not be brought under the control of anything" 1 Corinthians 6:12
Whatever we focus our attention on changes our affection; If the object is undeserving, it oftentimes clouds our spiritual judgement creating regret.
What’s the solution?
1. Establish Spiritual Reference points: A reference point allows you to evaluate where you are and where you want to be spiritually; It keeps you from drifting.
2. Invite a Friend to be the Referee: This person should have permission to blow the whistle when you are out of bounds spiritually.
I agree completely, but I'd add one more thing: the simple fact that, for all too many, what they are taught about the faith growing up is basically proven false (or at least it can appear to be) in a college environment. This makes it all the more easy to be tossed to and fro and wind up in a place where faith is no more.
ReplyDeleteThe main problem is that those students begin to question everything. Seeking to make sense out of Scripture is very destabilizing to faith.
ReplyDeleteIn an educational environment, they are taught to think critically and analyze everything they read. More often than not they try to use those concepts when reading the bible or listening to a preacher. Once they start comparing their simple reality to the very complicated teachings of the Word, they are conflicted. It's very difficult for them to just believe simply because it's written in the Bible.