desperation for critical thinking

i went to college as a kid from a small town, knowing little but thinking i knew everything. i had experienced a decent amount for an 18 year old but what was about to experience at iwu was eye opening for me. iwu had more rules then i had at home. but now that i have been a youth pastor for almost 2 years i look at some of the teens who have left and are leaving this weekend to start at colleges all over america. iwu provides a much needed structure for an 18 year old.

some rules i didnt agree with going into college and some new reflection on them for those who are entering as freshmen or are still so opposed to rules.

1. curfew for freshmen- 12 weekdays, 2 friday, 1 saturday--i really did not enjoy this. i would come into the dorm most evenings at 11:59. but obviously this is a standard not to off the streets but to help give you boundaries. who can learn by staying up all hours. by the time you are upperclassmen you will realize how important sleep and opening a book before 12 am is. also this is for the christian. when going to church after sleeping only a couple hours is almost pointless. are we not supposed to give God our best. if we are physically exhausted then can you worship well?

2. no rated r movies- i had issues through all of college with this rule. i thought the university was against us using discernment. but in reality they knew we did not have discernment. i do watch rated r movies now but very few. the value in most of them is low. but this rule really helped show me discernment rather than take it away. just in addition to this i watched "the great raid" this week. about a pow camp in ww2. really is an amazing movie of perserverance and faith shown through a true story of rescue and redemption. check it out. i urge every one. it is a little slow at first but give it a chance.

3. no dancing- actually to tell you the truth. i didnt mind this rule. i never did dance before iwu and still really dont care to learn.

i am sure there were more rules but these are the most talked about on the iwu campus. these help you to critically think about what is important and discern what is not. most rules are put there for protection rather than hindering someone to do something. and how you react to the authority is a clear indication of how one can and does react to God with the rules he has set forth.