As I look back at this first series, I recognize that I wrote quite heavily, not about the future, but our reactions to the future. Ironically, it seems this “Future Series” turned out to be more about the present. Then again, as I’ve rediscovered here at USC, life is constantly changing—and a healthy outlook on the present means a healthy outlook on the future.
I’ve realized something in my short college experience: the warnings of family, of Sunday school teachers, and of Christian mentors weren’t exaggerations. I’ve seen more than enough weekends, heard more than enough stories, and felt more than enough temptation here to know that college is a place of great trial. Never before have I sensed just how wide the path to destruction is. How glad I am to be grounded in Christ, to have been brought up in loving, edifying church families and a God-fearing home.
I have been blessed; others have not been so fortunate. But truthfully, the most difficult and disheartening part comes when someone who was strong… someone who was walking with God… someone you know personally… falls.
A friend of mine put it best:
It breaks your heart.
When it happens, you witness a defeat, a temporary win for the enemy. It’s demoralizing, depressing in the strictest sense of the word. We are part of Christ’s body, the light of the world. With every little light that winks out, Columbia grows a little darker. This world grows a little colder.
And yet, God’s power will not fail this community. Believers here have a task at hand, true, but through Him we will prevail. And through us, He will touch lives.
Aside to the USC students reading this: Those of you who aren’t plugged into a faith community, find one asap! Feel free to email me at gordnerg@email.sc.edu to find out more about the opportunities in the area. If I don’t know one that fits you personally, I promise that I know someone who does. All of us are struggling, but if you don’t find a support network of fellow believers, you’re making it even harder on yourself.
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I know it's easy for people to not be able to see God's love and light in our current world, sometimes it seems a little dark around the corners of the earth. I look to Psalms 40 and 42 for alot of these kinda issues, even within myself.
ReplyDelete"I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have no concealed Your loving kindness and Your truth from the great assembly." (Psalm 40:10)
"Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance." (Psalm 42:5)