When I first saw this video I immediately thought of college students, college life and the challenge of relationships during the college years.
I was struck by the simple portrayal of such a complex reality.
Plus, I really like Snow Patrol.
I definitely don’t mean this as an attempt to make light of relationships during the college years… but more so to point to an obvious focus, and source of both joy and pain, in the lives of our students.
So what do you think?
- What are some of the BIGGEST relational challenges you see with college students today?
- How do you walk alongside them as they experience their relational highs and lows?
- What’s some of the best relational advice you would give a college student today?
5 thoughts on “The Simplicity (and Complexity) of College Relationships”
I tell them that they need to guard their hearts (men & women, Christian or non-Christian). Too many students fall for someone too quickly and then get burned, then it takes a lot of time to get over (even if it was only a 2 week relationship). Believe me, I have experience!
I would also tell them to stop putting all their efforts into searching. God works in crazy ways and we need to be reminded often that he knows what he is doing, always. The moment I gave that insecurity over to God, he blessed me with a wonderful women that I can now say is my wife.
Some good thoughts Matthew!
You know, much of the research coming out these days points to students spending much of the first year or two focused on (or even obsessed with) the pursuit of intimate relationships. They’re likely coming to campus with this already as a focus… so how do we counter that? How do we speak into that? Is it reasonable to think we can change the way students think about (or approach) relationships?
How do your students respond to your encouragements???
Thanks for sharing!
That was me in college – “focused/obsessed with the pursuit of intimate relationships”. By God’s grace, before he let me enter that kind of relationship with my wife he first let me learn intimacy with other guys – and, no, I don’t mean THAT kind of intimacy. I met and grew deeply with other guys who knew my God and loved him as much as I did and wanted to help me grow in him. Pete, Yancey, Fred, Greg, Stuart, Craig were top of the list. I almost beg college students to stop their pursuit of romantic intimacy until they’ve established mature friendly intimacy with other members of their same sex. That kind of intimacy more often points us to our God whereas romance often points us in a different direction.
Michael! Thanks for sharing this!
Helping students to recognize that what they desire most is to know, and be known by, others is key. This can allow them to see the value in deep friendships… and the need to wait a little longer on other, more intimate, relationships.
Comments are closed.