Ring Dunks and Tea

At Texas A&M University, there is a tradition that when you get your class ring (a big, big, big deal here), you drop it into a large pitcher and chug until you catch the ring between your teeth.  This was traditionally a drinking game, and that's still how it's usually practiced, but among the Christian community at my school, students often choose to dunk in tea, lemonade, orange juice, or Kool-aid instead.  Other weird choices of drinks have included oatmeal and blended fried chicken, french fries, and Dr. Pepper.  

This last Ring Day a few weeks ago, several of my friends got their rings and hosted dunks.  I went to four.  I thought I would give you non-Aggies a glimpse into this experience.

The first dunk of the night:

The second dunk of the night:

The third dunk of the night:

And the final ring dunk I attended the next day:

Friends, I want to use this to encourage you today.  At my school, drinking (and more than that, getting wasted) is a big thing.  A&M is a party school.  There's an entire block in our town focused on drinking and partying.  If you choose not to drink, even when you're underage like I am, people will laugh and patronize you.

I admire my upperclassman friends so much for choosing to dunk in pitchers of Kool-aid and lemonade and tea... and even a giant bucket of water.  This is such a testament to the fun you can have in college without getting drunk.  These students are maintaining valued traditions while staying safe and sharing Christ.  Several of these dunks started with a sharing of the Gospel or of God's love and how glory should go to Him no matter what.

If you're placed in a situation of temptation or peer pressure this week, I encourage you to abstain from the norm.  Live a life of integrity and find community that will uphold you in your pursuit of Christ.

You don't have to be a "normal" college student.  There is no need for you to look back in ten years and say, "Wow, I made so many stupid mistakes during those four years that I regret."  You're not of this world.  Let Christ shine through the way you live your life.

1 Thessalonians 5:8
But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

Two years ago: Pray for my poor eyes