God is Good

Time flies. Less than four years ago I wasn't even a Christian yet, and now here I am standing before all of you about to share lessons that I've learned over the past four years. I won't share about how God gave me new life (you can ask me about it if you're curious), but I want to share about how God became the center of my life. In college, you'll discover if you haven't already that time is money, especially when you have 24 hours each day to yourself. It is a time to focus on what you want to do in life, achieving your short term goals and long term ambitions, possibly finding that special someone, etc. Basically, it is a time for YOU. But that's where I was wrong. God dramatically changed my perspective on life. He took away my childhood dreams and showed me that I needed to trust in His plans. There were many times I wrestled with "knowing God's will" but I realized that I didn't need to know them, I just needed to trust Him. After all, God works out everything for the good of His people as it says in Romans. Trust is something easier said than done. To trust in God, you really have to let go of all presumptions you have about yourself, others, and God and just focus on the Creator himself. He truly is the only one you need. In college it's hard to let go of your agenda, but trust me, no trust God, when He says, "Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding." I think that is the biggest lesson that has carried me through college.

But the only way to really trust Him is to know Him, which brings me to my second lesson: the importance of spending time in God's word. I found it far more beneficial to not just read what I want to read but to read systematically through the Bible. Again, our relationship with Christ is not about what we want, it's always about what God wants and that includes how we approach His word. There will be days when you don't want to read, but I learned an important piece of advice: some days will be discipline, some days desire, but every day should be spent in His word.

Third, find some sort of community where you can open up spiritually. That could be with a mentor, accountability partner, bible study, anything that offers a channel for you. I didn't really experience this until the last year and a half, but if you haven't already I suggest getting on this.

Fourth, this may the most important thing aside from number one which was to trust God with everything, serve His kingdom. It's great to know a lot about Jesus and God, but it is lightyears better for you to go out and serve. This includes serving your cell group, your fellowship, your non-believing friends, your family, your community. You don't want to look back and discover that you have not stored up treasure in heaven. You are part of the body of Christ and God calls us to love Him and love others. First comes God, then others, then we love ourselves. But don't just love those who are easy to love, that's not real love. Love those who you know it will be a challenge to love. Jesus loved us even though we were nothing like Him to the point that we hated who He was. So love by serving your brothers and sisters and encouraging them. It's easy to fall into the consumer mentality of "I need spiritual food, I need to feel God's presence, I need God's love". All those things are already there, what's missing is your hand in building God's kingdom, so serve the Lord by serving His people. There is no better way to grow closer to God than to practice love.

Finally, if you need somewhere to start practically, I suggest going through the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5 and see which ones you have and don't have. Start practicing the ones you don't have. You'll be surprised what changes can happen. Go to Urbana. Pray honestly. Go on a mission trip. Remind yourself of God's love and sacrifice for you each and every day. Thanks for everything (literally), CCF.

freshen up

Seeing prospies today for the last time ever was sobering. The exuberance and vivacity they had brought me back to my first day as a college freshman. I had forgotten how exciting the idea of going to college was. The chance to try whatever I want, to have unlimited freedom, to be away from the dramas that came with high school suburbia life. Now, the thought of the future is daunting. Why am I not anxious to begin this new chapter? Just four months ago, I couldn't wait to leave Rice and become a true "adult", but as each day passed, leaving behind all that I have treasured here has been hard, really hard. But who am I to be so reluctant to seek what God has in store for me next? He never asked us to dwell in the blessings of the past. Paul said in Philippians, "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Not to say that I will forget college--that definitely won't happen--but Paul is reminding the Philippians that we are not striving for the things of this world but we seek to gain Christ and know Him and the power of his resurrection and to one day attain the same resurrection from the dead. Nothing I have gained for myself in the last four years can compare to prize that awaits me. I must remember that and not discourage myself so much in these last few weeks by holding onto the past and hesitantly stepping toward the future. Christ is the center and focus of my being, nothing else.