Caring for more than me

Last week was a full week. Every Tuesday I meet with a student, Shelly, for discipleship and Small group planning. Shelly is an amazing person who loves Jesus with all that she is and wants nothing more than to make a difference on campus and see people to come to Him. We have been reading York Moore's "Growing your faith by giving it away", and it has had a profound impact in her life. Last week, instead of our normal meeting we went out to the Mt. Lair and did conversational evangelism. We talked to 2 people in roughly 2 hours about their background, what they believe and why, and the story of the gospel, our inevitable death and judgment, and the life of forgiveness and leadership God has offered us through Jesus' death and resurrection. They were great and challenging conversations! Even though neither made a decision to follow God, they are now one step closer to that decision.

Those conversations were even good for the growth of Shelly...and myself. Hard questions were asked that really challenged us, but with God's grace and leading I was able to respond to them. After we left the Lair, Shelly and I talked about some of those questions and how I shared the gospel and pushed back when we were challenged. She learned a lot in those short 2 hours, and I think if anything that day was not just for those we talked to, but mostly for Shelly's training, understanding, and growth in evangelism.

Experiencing these things gave Shelly a taste of God's kingdom work and living in humility and caring for others enough to put aside her own pride (as well as myself being reminded) in order to share the sad position we are in as humans and the good and fulfilled life that God offers those who call on His name.

On wed. we have our weekly small group in Pierpont. Dwight and Shelly have been leading this group as we study through John. 2 weeks ago Dwight had the idea of serving others through the Christmas Child program many churches run around the Christmas season. He brought this up with the rest of the group and they all jumped for the opportunity of caring for young ones all over the world. And so last week, instead of our usual study, we set out to the dollar store and acquired many nice things for the children. I think we actually got a little excited ourselves and may have over done it a little :p

Dwight and Shelly with the Operation Christmas Child gifts.

After our shopping spree, we headed back to the dorm and put together the boxes, praying over each child that they would be sent to, and discussing how they will be received and fantasizing the day the received them.

I am finding more that our students are beginning to see themselves no greater than others, even to the point of pointing aside our normal activities, to minister to others and grow the kingdom of God. Very exciting :)