These students are looking for the peace that only the Lord Jesus Christ can give. They were not raised in strong Christian families but were taught how to get by according to the standards of the world. Our nation’s college campuses are full of young men and women that feel empty, lost, lonely, and hurting. They turn to drugs, alcohol, and sex in attempts to dull those feelings. What is left are lives that now face disease, broken dreams, single parenthood, and increased feelings of despair. A handful will actually survive the experience and graduate from college while others will be forced to drop out. In either case, they still leave the college campus feeling unfulfilled.
The solution to what ails these young people is something that parents and members of the church can do to not only be an encouragement to our young people, but to change the outlook of their lives. For some of these young people who are already in college, it is important to reach out to them as the adults that they are and not as the child you remember them being in your Sunday School class. Be open and honest with them; I have had a number of conversations that began with the question being asked “how did you know what you wanted to do after college?” That simple question can truly allow you to approach everything from careers, family, to faith in God. Always leave the discussion on a positive note and always reinforce that they can call you or have a cup of coffee with them whenever they need it – but make sure you mean it when you make the offer.
