Recently, God has been showing me some amazing things. Quite frankly, there isn't a concise way to put into words what he has taught me this semester. However, I'm gonna try.
When the spring semester began, I started it off as usual. Just my normal self, carrying on, laughing at things I shouldn't, saying things I probably shouldn't, and so on and so forth. But about a week or two into the semester, the chaplain from my fraternity sat me down, and talked to me in a general manner. We just talked about our faith, what God means to us, and what we struggle with, etc. Throughout the course of this discussion, he said some things that really challenged me, and really ignited the flame that has come over me in recent weeks/months.
- I need to be in God's Word everyday. Not just reading it -- understanding and dissecting it. Using it. Heeding it. Growing from what I learn.
- I need to view the people on this campus as Christ views us. We/I need to train myself to look at people on the quad, in my classes, at the dining halls -- with his love and compassion. If Christ had it in his power to show us compassion and love, and we're the most wretched of sinners , then I think we can show a His love to others.
- Be bold. God has put each and every Christian in this world and on this campus for a unique calling and reason. However, we are all called to be missionaries in a lost, lost world. The Christian by IDENTITY is missional. We don't just DO missions, but we ARE missionaries. This relates to the way we carry ourselves, things we say in class, things we say in passing -- all of it. If we are put here to advance the Kingdom of God, and make a difference, than how can we do this without being bold and taking initiative as Christians?
These are just a few of the things he pointed out. Above all, he pointed out the potential that I and every one of my fraternity brothers has in Christ. We all have such a great potential to impact this University, and be (to use an over-used term) "on-fire" for Christ. We have the potential to make the devil sneer and scowl every morning we wake up, figuratively of course, in a "Oh no. He's awake again." way.
I'll be the first to admit. All of the things that our chaplain challenged me to do is hard. They are all a work-in-progress. And that's exactly what we need as Christians. Progress. Growth.
Another encouragement that helped foster the growth I've had this semester is related to worldly influences. It's long been said that what goes into your ears, comes out of your mouth. I'd always wondered why my parents shielded me from secular music. I reached a point in my youthfulness when I could decide right from wrong. So, I started listening to secular music, along WITH my Christian music. I grew the typical response to Christian music, over time, though: "It's too lame and boring. Not enough imagination with the music. It all sounds the same." I mean, after all, when someone is singing about Jesus for 12 tracks on an album, it's not always the most appealing thing to someone who has become accustomed to the things of this world.
As that progressed, I started soaking up as much music as I could. I'll confess, (my friends know this all too well) I greatly enjoy rap/hip-hop music. I have loads and loads of current and old rap/hip-hop songs on my computer, and I've always been known to listen to them all the time. Over time, though, I saw exactly what my parents always talked about coming true before my eyes. Desensitizing to the world. As I was listening to Jay-Z's Blueprint 3 album, and uttering some lyrics in my mind without any second thoughts, it hit me one day -- this really does reflect my heart. What you put into your ears, reflects what your heart cherishes above the surface, and what comes out of your mouth.
All of these things (and more things that I cannot even begin to describe) have changed my heart. I was always told that you need to be completely satisfied in Christ so much that nothing else in this world matters to you. I truly understand this now. Sure, I have things that still come back. Someone recovering from the flu is never changed immediately when they leave the doctor's office. It's a process, but one that is worth seeking, embarking on, and taking to heart. I've reached a point in my spiritual life recently that I quite frankly didn't know existed. I can truly say that nothing else matters to me. Alabama football, basketball, etc. None of it holds anything to the joy I have in knowing my mission in Christ, and waking up every day and going to class with the full-intent of representing Christ in whatever way He would have me do it.
(A lot of people have seen the writing I've been putting on my right hand every morning. It reads, : "4IANA 1:16" . Very simply, it means , "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, " Romans 1:16 . I started doing this, because I know that I'm not vocal enough to just openly start conversations with classmates and people on campus about the Gospel. This creates an avenue for me to be able to talk to them about it. People ask questions. Just something that I started doing that helps me, and is a constant reminder on my hand about who I'm set apart for, and who I'm supposed to glorify.)
Well, I guess that's it for now. I will try to keep this updated, if I can find more time like this in-between studying and fraternal things. I leave on Friday for a week-long mission trip to Trujillo, Peru to minister to the people of that city through an organization called, Peru Mission. Please be in prayer for this trip and this opportunity to see God's kingdom advanced through his people. I'll end this entry with a quote from John Calvin: "You must submit to supreme suffering in order to discover the completion of joy"
*Note: I am not urging anyone to completely stop listening to secular music, or music with a message that isn't of Christ. I am urging everyone to step back, and look at what they are listening to the most. Is it something that could possibly be influencing you in a negative light? If it's not glorifying God, then who is it glorifying? Just think about it, and consider it.
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