God has gifted every single one of us with a spiritual gift. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul writes that everyone is gifted with something from God, whether it is wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in tongues, interpreting tongues (verses 8-10). In Ephesians 4:11-13 Paul wrote, "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." Jesus Christ calls people to serve, He calls people to share the Gospel. We all have at least one of these gifts, whether we have realized that gift yet or not. Not only do we have these gifts, but we are also suppose to proclaim the Gospel to others. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-19 states that we should go and make disciples of the nations, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus. God didn't just call the evangelists to share the good news. God is calling every single one of us to share what He has done and what He can do.
Why are we holding back? Last night I was at Taco Bell with 5 other people eating an awesome fourth meal. Taco Bell was packed with high schoolers that had just spent the night at there semi-formal dance. My heart broke for these girls. Every single one of them was wearing an extremely short dress, all seeking the attention from a male. There was a couple at the table next to us and every time a male left taco bell they were like "Yeah, Ryan have a GOOD night!" One of the girls friends even asked her if she was "ready for tonight." All of these people were coming together and peer pressuring this couple into something. What did I or the people I came with do about this? NOTHING. One of the guys I was with was thinking about what to say, but he didn't know what to say or how to say it. God is calling us to tell others about him. Others that are just like these high schoolers that are so lost in this earthly world.
This trip to Taco Bell definitely opened my eyes up to what was going on around me. I learned that I shouldn't just look at them and judge them for the way they are dressed or the way they act. I have to love them. I have to love them for God loves them. God loves every single one of them, even the couple that was giving into peer pressure. I pray that they would hear about God's love for them someday.
At brunch this morning I was standing in line for an omelot. There were two guys in line with me. Guy #1 said to guy #2, "Did you get drunk last night?" Guy #2 responded with " No, I only had like 5 beers." Guy #1 proceeded to say, "What a waste!" Guy #2 just walked away. Another guy came to the line and told Guy #1 that he was an alcoholic. Guy #1 said it's not alcoholism while he's in college, but it will be if he continues it outside of college, because college is all about drinking.
My heart breaks for Trine University. My heart breaks for the fact that people on this campus, and others as well, think that life is all about drinking, having sex, and doing drugs. Why didn't I speak up while this was occurring right in front of my face? I wanted to be like "A waste? You think that just because someone didn't get drunk last night, that their night was a waste?" I didn't speak up to say that. I should have. I know that I am bold, but obviously I am not bold enough. God I pray you would give me the boldness I need to speak up in every situation You place me in.
Now, what can I do to recognize these things in my life? What can I do to share this with others (other than blogging about it)? I don't know these answers, but I will be praying about them to see where God leads me. I will be meeting with Travis, my campus minister, to share what I have realized. I know that God is calling me to share this so that others can see ways to share the Gospel in their own lives.
Pray that you would share the Gospel to others. Not just in the situations like I have encountered, but with that person that you eat lunch with everyday that has never heard the Gospel, or the person you sit next to in class. Let's build relationships with others in hopes of telling them about how Jesus has impacted our lives. God has a plan for all of His work. Let's go proclaim His Name to the lost.
In Christ,
Brandi :)
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