A Pat on the Back

Today was such a good day.

A little church, lunch with friends, leadership meeting with some more good friends, and then relaxing at home with my two favorites.
We knew today was going to be the last day that would offer any form of relaxation for a while, so we took advantage of it.
The best part of today though, was the Chi Alpha leadership meeting and here's why:

This time of year is so so busy with all of the things that Chi Alpha does on campus. Every year we get a little better about reaching out to the new freshmen but it takes so much work. We're talking 2 months of planning and 1 week of doing. Full time stuff, here. But it's awesome. The best part is, of course, looking back later and seeing all of the people that are in Chi Alpha (and the Kingdom!) as a result of this crazy week.

Today, one of our fairly new guys came to the meeting to share with us a little about his past and why he comes to Chapter 1 now. He wanted to encourage us and let us know that what we do really matters, even when it seems like all we're doing is sowing with very little reaping.

He said that he had spent so much time being lonely that he just couldn't take it anymore. He described himself as a "slave to technology," having spent every waking hour alone in his apartment with his computer. His parents used to be so worried about him that they would show up on his doorstep in the middle of the night just to check on him. But, eventually they got tired of the one-sided relationship and they, too, stopped coming by.

He said that he had a Chapter 1 friend who was constantly inviting him to come on Monday nights and spent lots of time trying to share Jesus with him. But more than that, he was a genuine friend that stayed faithful through it all. He said that he was always nervous about opening up to his friend because he thought that the second he showed any type of curiosity about Christianity, he would be revealed for what he was, and this "Christian" guy would just judge him.
So he shut his friend out and avoided deep, meaningful conversation with him.

After 6 months of being invited weekly, he gave up and came to Chapter 1.
He was amazed at the people that he met. He couldn't believe that these people, too, looked at him with that same genuine look that his friend looked at him with.
He even described how much the handshakes meant to him. Lots of people shook his hand and wanted to talk to him and get to know him - but it had been so long since he had had any real contact with anyone that the handshakes were just so refreshing.
Even though he knew he was surrounded by people that wanted to love him, he went home with a hard heart. After spending so much time alone, he didn't know how to live any other way.

Something else was bothering him. That word "surrender." He just couldn't get away from it. Why was everyone always talking about surrendering? He couldn't understand why he had to surrender. Wasn't just believing Jesus existed enough? Why did he have to give up control?

That night, by himself in his apartment, things changed.

He knew he was on the verge of making that crucial connection with his Lord but he didn't know how. And since he didn't feel like he had anyone to talk him through it, he just broke down.
Not knowing what to say or do, he finally surrendered.

......................................................................................................
Just a few months later, he has become such a huge part of our ministry. He has pretty much taken on the new Chi Alpha website and is working on building it from the ground up. This guy is so talented and it's been amazing to see the way God has chosen to use him. What's even more amazing is seeing how this guy has surrendered his talents to the One who gave them to him in the first place.

Thank you, Lord, for allowing us to share in the fun when your kids finally come running home to you.