Going into project you are told the second half of the summer is where you grow the most. The part where you are without the staff and on your own. After experiencing it a second time (the first time was in Alaska), I can vouch for that and say it is very true!
I decided 2 posts wouldn't be enough, so in this post I'll just describe the weekly themes that were student led. Part 3 will describe the growth through leadership and how the friendships from the summer continue to impact me.
Weekly Themes
student-led second half
Treasuring the Gospel. What kind of struggles do you face in ministry or your personal walk with Jesus? It is these things that tempt us to say its not worth it. Our brokenness should bring us to a dependance on the Spirit. Are you going to treasure jars of clay or the gospel? Like 2 Corinthians 4 says, the jars of clay are our brokenness and sin, while the gospel is a relationship with Christ and eternal. Our suffering is nothing compared to the coming glory of Christ. It is these things that I often forget. But those days I do remember, those days I do treasure the gospel, that is when my struggles become momentary and fleeting compared to the glory of Christ. Keep your eyes on the prize, the best is yet to come!
Running to Win. This seems to be a theme I need to review more for myself...so here ya go! 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 says we should run the race of life in such a way to receive the prize. That prize is God returning. How do we do that? With self control and discipline. If athletes train their whole lives for a few moments of glory, how much more so should we live our lives to win the prize of Christ? To do this, you need a running partner to hold you accountable and to help you train your the spiritual muscles. What pace are you running in the race? When we truly recognize that Jesus is the only imperishable prize, our natural response will be to run to Him. Will you run the race with me?
Who Will Go. If you've read a good amount of the Bible, a common theme of going is seen throughout. It is important to recognize who we are and who God is and surrender to Him. God's holiness is set apart, it is outside of our comprehension. In Isaiah 6:1-8 God is described as "holy, holy, holy," or the holiest. Isaiah responds by saying he is ruined! Sin is an offense against God that has eternal consequences, that is why Jesus had to die on the cross. God offers us this relationship, but we deny it, saying "I don't need You!" Charles Spurgeon said that God won't do anything with us until He has undone us. We say "I don't need You!" God says "I love you!" He did that by dying on the cross, in verse 7 God cleanses Isaiah, then says "Whom shall I send? Who will go?" Isaiah responds by saying "Here I am! Send me!" God offers us the privilege to serve Him. Are you willing to surrender it all for God's glory? If you don't feel a calling, GO! God will use you! What do you need to surrender to God? Are you willing to give up everything to be sent?
Anchored to Christ. How can one stay anchored in Christ? Read at 1 Corinthians 15:58. Be steadfast, immovable, keep doing what you're doing! We need to continue to pursue Him and He'll meet us where we're at. Here are three challenges. Prioritize your personal relationship with the Lord. the number one sin committed by Christians is not keeping the Sabbath Set the pace for a gospel centered community, lead by example. Lastly, prioritize sharing the gospel on campus. Sometimes we think our comfort is worth more than thousands of lost souls. Sharing our faith may be tough. It can be discouraging, 3 indispensable requirements for a missionary are patience, patience, and patience. Successful evangelism is taking the initiative to share Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results up to God. Sharing is stretching, our Father makes many a flower bloom unseen in the lonely desert. Remember, it is WORTH IT! Our mission on Earth is to glorify God! Know,your labor is not in vain! Galatians 6:4 tells us to not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap what we've sown. This is a week where continually am reminded how important it is to be anchored in Christ, running whole hearted after him.
Every time I go back and review what I've learned from this summer, I can see where I was a year ago and see where I am now. I am so. much further along in my faith now than I was a year ago
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