"I'm realizing that God has bigger plans for me than I do..."
"I'm learning how to speak up for myself around my friends..."
"How do I figure out what it is that I want?"
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Do these statements sound familiar to your own story/testimony? These kinds of things (along with many others) are what students are saying as they begin to wake up to the reality that God loves them.
In 2006, I began my freshman year of college. If somehow God would have pulled back the veil of my life and showed me what the next 20 years of my life would've looked like...I would've run 100mph in the opposite direction.
I sense in those early years of college, God was not primarily concerned with me knowing my purpose, calling, or vocation...it seems He was deeply interested in me settling into the lived reality that: He loves me! Me! Me! He has chosen me! He has created me!
I have lived most of my Christian life aiming to live out a faith that is not self-centered. However, what if God wanted me all along to live a self-centered faith? A faith that is centered on who our selves are created to be? Jesus says that his "purpose is to give them (and us) a rich and satisfying life!" A full life that is full of highs-lows, ups-downs, and challenges-triumphs. All of this happens within the context of...us! Our own lived experiences playing out in God's story.
I am playing with words a bit here, but, I hope that my point is coming across well. These days I meet too many students who haven't yet awakened to the agency and self-hood and birthright that God has invited them into. Many are 'asleep' to these foundational realities. It's not uncommon to find students who have never had a true friend...a true advocate...someone who truly let them know that yes - their story is important because God says it is! God loves you! God created you! God has chosen you!
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| Anaya & I have been experiencing slow-mornings together. She asks to hold my hand as we enjoy the beautiful spring-mornings together. |
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| some fun family pics during the snow-day! |
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| Our Richland FOCUS men's core! |
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| Our Richland FOCUS Men! I'm so grateful for each of these guys - I love having them a part of our group week-to-week! |
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| Every Wednesday I get to study Focus on Jesus w/ Ricardo (center) and Moses (right). I always enjoy our conversations and the questions/stories that these 2 bring. God is good! |
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| Another picture of our Richland FOCUS men's core! |
Thank you for believing in our mission to love college students. We are learning a ton as we move toward the halfway point of the semester & beyond. Thank you for your support! God is good!
Your brother & campus missionary,
Sirak
