Ryan Eberly | Contributing Writer

Move-In Day. It is one of my favorite days at Buena Vista University (BVU). As a freshman, I was excited to start this new chapter in my life. I could make my own rules, do what I wanted, and go wherever I wanted. The freedoms and possibilities seemed endless. Fast forward two years, and I am now helping the freshmen move in. I love being able to see the same excitement I had, on their faces, as they begin their next chapter in life.

If you were to ask them what the most important thing they brought with them was, you would probably get a variety of answers. Pictures of family and friends, a piece of jewelry or their X-Box; the list goes on. If you would have asked me that question four years ago, I probably would have come up with something similar. If someone were to ask me that question as a senior, they would get a totally different answer. The most important thing that I brought to college was my faith.

While growing up in a Christian home, my parents knew the importance of taking ownership of your faith. While at home, I went to church every Sunday, was an active member in youth group, and tried reading my Bible every day. These were all things my parents thought were important, and they strived to teach me the importance of them as well. Then the fateful day came when I moved to college. I no longer had my parents there to hold me accountable for what I did. I was free to choose to do whatever I wanted. I chose to keep my faith and have it be an active part of my life. It is something I knew was important to bring to this crazy place called college and not leave it behind as just something my parents did.

So how has that decision to bring my faith with me to college impacted my four years at BVU? Just like any other college student, I have had struggles. I have had professors that make no sense, classes that seem impossible, conflicts in friendships, and struggles with relationships. However, what I also have is a faith in a God who promises to be with me during those struggles. He is the reassurance I need when I feel like I can’t go on any longer in a class, the strength I need when I think I can’t go on any longer, and the guide I look to when I don’t know what to do next in my life.

I can’t imagine going through life without my faith, and I am grateful I brought it with me on that sunny Friday morning four years ago when I began my journey at Buena Vista University.

Photo by Kevin Coriolan