College is a time where your faith is put to the ultimate test. You are on your own, making your own decisions. For the first time you don't have the crutch of your parents waking you up for church on Sunday; rather, its your choice. There is the stress of school, intentional relationships, and organizations that are pulling at our attention and telling us that we are too busy to share our faith. There are times that you have to take a step back and ask your self, "Am I living for me or Jesus?"
After Attending Passion 2016 this year, I was struck with conviction on how I've been spending my time in college. During my fall semester I spent my days focusing on my self, and worrying about being accepted or if I was involved enough. I wasn't taking the time to look outward and investing in the people around me. During Passion 2016, Christine Caine said "The spotlight on you will kill you if the light of the Lord inside you is not greater." The Lord revealed to me that if we spend our lives focused on our selves then we will miss the joy and peace that comes with living our lives for the Lord.
We get caught up in the business of our day when we forget that our true purpose as believers is to spread the name of Jesus. It seems like a giant task, but it can be as easy as talking to someone you don't know in one of your classes, or inviting someone to a bible study. Even if you get shut down, at least you made them think. You never know how your words or actions could affect someone. Maybe you will be the spark that the Lord is using to bring them closer to salvation.
So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11
The words that leave our mouth should not be empty, but be filled with truth and life. By living your life above reproach, you could have an unknowing impact on a nonbeliever. Having intentional talks with people can sometimes be tolling and awkward, but Life is such a minor blip on the timeline of our eternal existence. We were not meant to be comfortable, instead, to live with a purpose. This article is not meant to convict, but to encourage. We need to be the revival that our campuses are aching for.
"We keep on praying for revival, but the Lord is saying that we are the revival." Christine Caine
We can make excuse after excuse about why we don't have time to share the Good News, but if we don't then someone else will. We look around and see the brokenness on our campuses, but what are we really doing to mend it back together. There are opportunities that pass us each day, and we take them for granted. It is up to each of us whether or not we are going to take the torch and shine the way. You don't have to be a theologian, or have all the answers to reveal truth to someone. If you believe relentlessly in the Lord then you are equipped with the greatest gift of all, the Holy Spirit.
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:19
Just by changing the way we think and go about our lives could, not only strengthen our relationship with the Lord, but influence the lives of people around us. Join the revival and don't be the bystander. Be the vessel that the Lord uses, because He LOVES you and created you for a reason. Trust that the light of the Lord within you is enough, because just like Louie Giglio said, "The stone wasn't rolled away to let Jesus out, but to let us in." Enter in and spread the greatest gift of all time, because we are not our own. Be empowered by this gift of freedom we have in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and BE the revival at your school.
