To the college student during this pandemic,
1. be responsible.
Right now, we’re at an age where we’ve never experienced a pandemic before or something so overwhelming and so confusing. We have this mindset as the younger generation that we are not going to be affected by this virus, and that because we’re young we’ll be fine, we’ll just carry on with our normal lives. But we must remember that it’s not about us, it’s about our loved ones that could be affected because we still gathered in groups. I think to be responsible during this time we need to really take action and care for everyone around us, not just ourselves. We are an example for the future generation.
1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
2. recharge.
This is such an important time in our lives to recharge and to reset. While school was going on, we could all think of many excuses why we weren’t having our quiet times every day or reading God’s Word more. With this much time on our hands, now is when we need to recharge and revitalize who we are by getting into God’s Word again. Now is the time to do the things we used to make excuses for (while still practicing social distancing of course.)
Psalm 85:6 says, “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?”

3. rebuild.
We need to use this time to rebuild ourselves, our friendships, our families, and our homes. Things that were broken can be made new again. What are the relationships in your life that need some rebuilding? Now is the time to pick up the phone, FaceTime that person, and start those conversations. Allow God to rebuild what was once broken.
Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
4. rest
The definition of rest is to cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength. Life moves so fast, and soon enough we’ll be married with kids and have a full-time job. So take the time NOW to rest. Of course that doesn’t mean to sleep and be lazy all day, but give yourself permission to not do work. Take the day to read a good book or go for a walk. While we don’t know when this will end, we should enjoy the moments we will never get back.
Jeremiah 31:25 says, “I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”
5. renew
And when it’s all said and done, when this pandemic is no more, we must remember to stay renewed. We are entering into a new season of life with the ending of another school year. We should be excited to get back to the routine of life and feel a sense of renewal because we’ve done the other R’s above. I have always loved the idea of soul-care versus self-care. Soul-care includes God and self-care makes it all about what you can do for yourself. Let God be the one to renew you in this season.
This “time-off” is not a time to just do nothing and worry about everything, but to fully transform our old habits to new.
Psalm 51:10 says, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
With love,
Shai Long |Harborside Chapel Intern
