Beginnings.

It’s hard to believe that I’m back in Chicago, diving right in to all things school. New beginnings always cause shifts in perspective for me..and rightfully so. It’s almost like they’re new chances to do things differently, having learned some of what not to do the time before. But I suppose this time around there’s a strange calm about my attitude. I’ll call it peace. Now, this certainly isn’t reflective of the 14 hours of rest that I had in-between camp and my departure from Philadelphia. I have no other explanation than the assurance that I have that comes from a relationship with the living God who pursues me daily without delay. There is so much to learn about Him, so many details in Scripture to chew on. And yet, as he showed me this summer, the ability to sit and bask in the love and greatness of Jesus Christ is so satisfying, and so uplifting that the believer need not feel dismay in the face of change. After all, the author of this faith knows no inconsistency.

Yesterday Moody held a ceremony to welcome in the new freshmen and transfer students. We did a prayer walk around the campus in order to speak with the Lord about the coming year, the students, the leadership, and the fruit of MBI. It was neat to see hundreds of people all gathered around a similar plea: that the Lord would bless and protect the ministry of Moody, that it might remain one that savors Jesus Christ as the center of all things, thereby bringing him glory. It’s a cool thing to be reminded that even in this place the kingdom is being built through ordinary people who have decided to put what little they have into the hands of a mighty God.

All this reminds me of a passage in Ephesians 4 concerning spiritual gifts. Within the body, each member has a different role that is to be used for the edifying of the body and the equipping of the saints (verse 12). Sometimes these gifts take us to different places and down paths that could have hardship in store. And yet, what a promise it is to think that these efforts (if done for Christ) are never done in vain. As the next verse states, we will each do our ministry as we are called “till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God..to a measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” In other words, we will live out our vocations and ministries using our gifts until He calls us home and we see his face. Then all the work will be finished, all tears will stop, and we will all know who he is, and we shall be like him!

While goodbyes from home and camp may be bittersweet, I thank the Lord for another opportunity to study at school, in preparation for what lies ahead for me. I thank him for his sovereignty in leading my friends and family in separate directions, while uniting us under the same heavenward goal. May the God of peace continue to fill me with confidence and joy at the thought of a chance to be a part of His work here on earth. And may his followers rejoice at the thought of the coming day when the work will cease, the Kingdom will be built, and when we will be his bride. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound…

Blessings.