"How Can Christians Best Prepare for Going Home?"

For many, going home from college can be a scary time, as we leave many of the rhythms we have grown accustomed to having. This post explores what it looks like to be a Christian "on fire" or lukewarm for God, ultimately encouraging each of us to grow in our faiths for the sake of being a light to our communities.

Living Life in a Coffee Shop

If you know with me personally, you know that I have a deep love for coffee. However, it wasn't always the case; it was a gradual process. My coffee journey began in middle school with the gateway drink of Frappuccino—a mixture of caffeine, sugar, and milk. As the seasons changed, so did my tastes. I converted to peppermint mochas, adding a bit more coffee to the mix. The transition continued through the pandemic with iced lattes, generously sweetened, which slowly progressed to iced coffee with caramel. Now, as a college student, I consider myself a coffee connoisseur. I take my coffee black and piping hot, just as it should be.

This process took years, but over time, the drinks gradually transformed and felt more and more like genuine coffee. When I started, what I had resembled a coffee-like drink, but it truly wasn't. With time passing, and through the various seasons of life, my drink preferences evolved to closely mirror the real thing until it became just that. Now, it's a daily, insatiable desire to warm my hands and, along with it, my soul.

From early on, I harbored this desire to savor coffee like my dad, to enjoy it fully. The dream was to wake up, dash to the kitchen, and be greeted by that distant yet inviting aroma. But let's be real; I couldn't just dive into drinking it from the start. Like a fresh Christian inching toward maturity, I had to grow into it. It's that daily intake of the Word of God, the flame kindling within our souls, that transforms novices into seasoned believers. Just like my journey to appreciating black coffee, it's a process of gradual immersion and evolving taste.

The Power of Hot Coffee

If you have ever spent time in a coffee shop, as many college students do, you are familiar with the smell of coffee. The aroma has a special way of lingering in the air so when you open the door you are knocked aback. The smell draws me in closer and encourages me to stay longer, oftentimes, causing me to purchase a second cup. The cool thing about those who spend time in coffee shops is that you start to smell like one, the longer you spend in a shop, the more the smell sticks to your clothing. You are walking advertising of the coffee shop you frequent.

Our faith operates in much the same way. When we linger in the presence of God—through diving into the Bible, engaging in prayer, participating in worship through song, and attending church—we begin to "smell like Christ." It's not a literal scent, but a transformation of character. Instead of reacting with anger or judgment, we start mirroring the nature of God, embodying the fruit of the Spirit.

When we close our Bibles or leave the church building, the essence of Christ lingers. We start to exude more and more of His qualities. Just like a college student in a coffee shop, the more time we spend in His presence, the more our actions emanate the authentic fragrance of a true Christian. We gradually reflect Jesus in our attitudes and behavior.

The Danger of Lukewarm

Unlike hot coffee, lukewarm coffee lacks a strong and distinct aroma—it's muted, unremarkable. It adapts to its surroundings, staying warm in a heated environment but quickly turning cold when exposed to ice. Reflecting on my experiences, I often found it challenging to return home for the Holidays after becoming a Christian. Leaving Liberty University, with its fervent worship and passionate believers, was particularly tough for me. Despite appearing as a "warm Christian" within the Liberty bubble, I realized my faith was truly lukewarm when tested outside of that environment.

While on campus, surrounded by the fervor of fellow believers, my faith appeared vibrant. However, as soon as I stepped off campus, my enthusiasm dwindled. I might read my Bible for a day or two, but the desire for spiritual growth quickly dissipated, along with the fruit of the Spirit in my life. I found myself becoming more agitated, succumbing to temptations, and ultimately settling into a lukewarm state, reassuring myself with a half-hearted "better luck at Christmas." I didn't end up sharing the gospel with anyone that year.

Being a Christian wasn't enough; I hadn't learned how to be on fire for the Lord. Once removed from the bustling Christian community, my faith cooled like lukewarm coffee—disgusting, uninviting, and seemingly worthless. Lukewarm faith, much like lukewarm coffee, is good for nothing—it's a one-way ticket to a cold faith.

Signs of a Lukewarm Christian

Heading home to an environment with few Bible-believing Christians can be anxiety-inducing. The what-ifs start to pile up: What if I fall back into sin? What if my ex reaches out again? What if my high school friends start drinking? These questions are valid concerns for anyone transitioning from an environment designed to nurture their walk with the Lord. However, if you've been spiritually lulled into complacency, it's like being in a river without learning how to swim. Unlike the sheltered environment of many Christian colleges, the real world demands that you swim upstream.

If you haven't spent the past few months honing your spiritual strength, going home can be downright scary. While I can't judge anyone's heart, if your concerns about going home are more about how home will impact you rather than how you can impact home, you might be a lukewarm Christian. I truly believe that the fear of going home is the Holy Spirit's way of trying to rouse you from spiritual slumber, to reveal to you your lukewarm heart. God wants us to burn for Him.

How to Become On-Fire for God

Hot coffee has this remarkable ability to fill a room much like a faith on fire exudes the fragrance of the fruit of the Spirit. So, what does it look like to have a faith that emits the fragrance of heaven? Let's dive into the story of the sinful woman in Luke 7. Despite judgmental glances from religious leaders, she boldly approached Jesus, falling at His feet in worship and gratitude for His forgiveness. Opening an alabaster jar of perfume, she anointed Jesus' feet with the entire jar.

Pause for a moment. Imagine how potent that aroma must have been—think about the strength of an entire bottle of cologne or perfume. STRONG. I use two sprays of cologne each day and personally am afraid it is too strong; now, imagine the scent of an entire bottle.

Here's the point: in worshiping Jesus, the woman filled the room with the aroma of her faith. She poured it all out. Her adoration for her Savior made it unmistakably clear to those around her that she had been transformed. Do you pour out your whole heart to God in worship?

The remarkable and challenging aspect of our faith is that no one can "pour out worship" on our behalf. While encouragement from others is valuable, authentic worship must emanate from a genuine heart. We have to actively seek it; it won't just come to us naturally. So in the same way we have to fight for our faiths at school, we have to fight for our faiths when we head home.

So, what does it look like to fight for our faiths practically?

1. Pray Intentionally: Before reading your Bible, pray intentionally that the Lord illuminates your eyes, unlocks your mind, and opens your ears. Trust that the Holy Spirit will reveal what He wants to show you.

2. Read the Bible with Intentionality: Be honest with God about your desire to seek Him more and to burn with passion for Him.

3. Worship Through Song: Even if you're not keen on singing, challenge yourself to listen only to Christian music, especially when you're home. Let it help you stay focused on what truly matters—glorifying God.

4. Stay Connected to the Body: Even as you head to different parts of the country, stay connected with your fellow believers. Share your concerns about going home with them so they can pray alongside you. Establish open lines of communication in case you face strong temptations.

In actively embracing these practices, along with many others not listed, you'll be nurturing a faith that not only fills your own heart but also spreads the aroma of heaven to those around you. By earnestly pursuing God in prayer, in reading, and in worship, you will kindle a faith on fire for Him. It's a faith that, despite the chill of the world, remains fervent and intensifies. Those close to you, be it family or friends, will find themselves wondering what sparked such a transformation. Your faith will be akin to a steaming cup of coffee—noticeably different.

My Encouragement to You

I pray that you live a life back home covered in the aroma of God's grace. May the Holy Spirit use you as a beacon, drawing non-believers to Christ through the captivating fragrance of your vibrant faith.

Do you have any practical ways to encourage those scared to go home to remain strong in their faiths?

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