August 6, 2008

• Hello?

  I suppose from a strictly telephonic standpoint, picking up the phone before someone calls is not ony strange but inefficient and improbable.  Mainly because the person calling would get a busy signal of some sort.  But God?  He picks up before we call.  While we are yet speaking, He is able to answer. 

  Today, as I was sitting through another fascinating segment of pre-session staff meeting, I made some decisions.  They came with such conviction that I even took out my little notebook and jotted them down.  There was a verse from Nehemiah that was so loud in my head that it was almost as if someone was whispering it in my ear: "..and they said, 'Let us rise up and build.'  So they strengthened their hands for this good work."  (Neh. 2:18.) 

  The past school year was a lot of fun.  I really missed my kids over the break.  Some of them showed up during presession this week and I got to chat with them in my office.  It was nice!  But back to this past year.  I was busy.  So busy.  And all that busy-ness left me not enough time to focus on the spiritual needs of my students in the way that I wanted to.  

  So this year, I made a commitment.  I'm going to make time.  I'm not going to wait for someone to call on me.  I'm not going to let opportunities pass me by because I haven't put myself out there.  I'm going to strengthen my hands.  I'm going to rise up and build.  I'm going to do it.  I'm going to start right now. 

  This is part of what I wrote in my notebook:

  "This decision has sprung up an excitement, a hunger, an intense desire, in my heart.  I've missed this.  I want this.  Revival comes in response to prayer.  Let me start praying.  Me.  I will start praying for revival at this school.  Today.  With me."

  After I wrote this, we broke for 10 minutes.  While I was admiring some produce that a fellow staff member brought in from his garden (sweet corn!), he approached me to talk.  This man is the chaplain of our school, and a few months ago, I had sent him an email expressing some concern over a week of prayer speaker (the one from Austrailia, for those of you who know what I'm talking about.)  Until now, he had never mentioned it or brought it up.  I never re-broached the topic with him because I sensed that it might be a sensitive topic. 

  But as he spoke to me, he told me how he was taking classes at a University (Academialand) and was taking some classes which was really opening his eyes to what was happening in the world.  He took a small class with a professor (Canale) and said it really made him rethink his own practices.  He said he used to teach right from Rick Warren for the past few years and wasn't going to do that any more.  He said he really understood where I was coming from when I wrote that email.  We talked about the emergent movement and postmodernity, the masons and spiritualism in the church, and outlooks for the future of our school.  I was excited.  Things are changing. 

  This is a big victory...  I know it doesn't sound that way, but it's an answer to prayer.  I even got to tell him that I wanted a bigger part in campus ministries.  I got to talk to the boys' dean about giving bible studies.  I was astounded when during the meeting a majority of the staff members confessed that they had no idea how to give bible studies or how to even start one...  the pastor said that Bible studies weren't big among Christians these days.  I wanted to raise my hand and say, "But there are those among us..."     

  I am so blessed to be a part of this institution.  The staff are so encouraging and supportive.  I truly appreciate that.  I really want to start a revival here.  How's it gonna happen?  I don't know.  But I'm going to pray. 

  I've realized that giving my life to God is the most freeing and exhilerating thing I have ever done.  Today, my heart cried out for God to use me however way He directs...  in whatever capacity, wherever He sends.  It's a desire that springs from love and gratitude and an understanding of the freedom that comes with such a decision.  It's strange to think that freedom can come from submission, but experientially it has worked itself out in ways that is difficult to comprehend on paper...

  So here I go.  Building.  I'm still coughing, but I hope to be 100% soon.  But most of all, I am happy to be able to be fully dedicated to my God.   

   

  • 6:24 pm
  • 3 Comments