It's almost like a floodgate of God's amazing children coming to us, hungry, needing not the physical food but spiritual food in the past couple of weeks since our notification to them. To say that He has put our own selves in check would be very accurate on what to expect. First, we had a student who has had so many questions about God, Jesus, Heaven and everything in between that we knew she would love attending church with us sometime on a Saturday evening since we were already in Savannah doing so. That was exactly what we did. Amy and I took this young lady to church with us and she got to experience a place where she could dress however she wanted and be exactly who God intended her to be, right then and there. After attending the service, we asked her what she thought and she said 'she loved it' and can't wait to come back again. God must have moved big time since on the way home she asked Amy how to pray. Then, once I got home, I received a message from another student at Hunter whom heard about this one girl attending church with us. Apparently this young lady shared with her friend how much she loved going and then the other girl asked me if she could come with us next time?!?! We can't even make these kind of things up!
Then while at Easter service at the Post Chapel, I received a message from yet another Hunter parent asking if I was at the Savannah Christian service, which I was not. The parent informed me that their son was eagerly ready to get baptized (which they were doing in services if people felt called to do so) and he definitely wanted me present for his baptism at the church. Emphatically I told his mother for him not to wait if he felt compelled to do it then and there, however, we discussed and he said he could wait until I were present to witness this amazing event in his life. God......really!?
We're finding more and more of our students and adults we interact just desire to 'be known.' That's it. No magic. No special formula. They want to share who they are with someone who is actively listening. Put down the phone and listen. Connect 1-1 with them and give undivided caring attention. That's what Jesus did. HE SHOWED UP. He loved others. He didn't quantify or qualify someone ahead of the discussion. He met them right where they were and met their needs.
Rather than moving ahead quickly in conversation, why not try slowing down and hearing the ache behind someone's 'I'm fine or I'm good' comment when you ask how they're doing. Imagine the impact on God's Kingdom when we take care of people's souls, rather than being heard in what we want to share instead. People need one another. We were built for relationships. That's why God created us, to have a relationship with Him and His people.
Honestly, this is why I am who I am in Christ today. People stepped into my mess. They chose to love me regardless of what I had done, was going through or how bad my life was at that moment. I am eternally thankful for those people at church who laid their hands upon my broken soul and prayed upon me. I'm thankful for those people who I enabled to speak God's mighty truth into my life, even when I didn't want it. I'm still flawed like no other. I know I need a Savior who will step into the gap for my sins and I'm thankful He did on the Cross. I am reconciled to God the Father because people stopped.........and listened.
