Tessa, Ann Archer, and Janie (with a few of their siblings) all preparing to head off to college tomorrow! Hard to believe the day is almost here. Thank You, Father. We do not take it for granted, not after last year. Another blessing of the accident--God removed the blinders from our eyes that so often in the past might have caused us to miss the extravagant, but seemingly ordinary treasures He showers upon us. School (and the simple privilege of being able to attend), regular schedules (rather than 24 hour vigils in ICU where night and day blend together), football games, eating dinner as a family, laughing with friends, smelling (yeah, silly, but smells of all kinds--from smokey fires to freshly cut grass to roasting chicken--are marvelous! You can't smell much of anything in the hospital), doing the laundry or cooking a meal for your loved ones...and on and on. So many daily blessings--how on earth could we have missed them?
So thank You Father for the privilege of sending our children out into this world. Last night, a few families got together and challenged these girls--walk with Christ! So many great comments:
Don't hide your light under a bushel in college. Be salt and light for Christ in a dark world.
Every day put on the full armor of God, for you are daily entering into battle in enemy-occupied territory.
Your professors are just regular folks too--don't be intimidated and get to know them.
Remember you can't stand still in your faith--forget trying to sit on the fence, for you're always either advancing or retreating.
Be open to God's new challenges and opportunities and don't be afraid to step out in faith, even when you're out of your comfort zone.
Adults and older siblings all shared--what a great night! Thank You, Lord, for good food, great friends, and glorious fellowship!
But as I thought about the evening, I realized every challenge, every bit of advice applies not only to college students but to every one of us. We all must daily put on our armor so we can walk through the minefields of life, secure in our Savior. We all must daily be advancing in our faith--no fence-sitting, no retreat, no surrender! We all should be ready to step out in obedience and faith when and wherever God calls us. Sure, it's scary...but it's also the safest, most joyous place to be: in the center of God's will.
And we all need to be salt and light in this world--it's why we're here. "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost it, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Mt.5:13-16)
O Lord Jesus, make us salty! Salt is a preservative and and helps prevent decay. Decay of culture, decay of hope, decay of hearts--we can be that salt. And salt adds flavor and zest, just as we can be the salt that brings joy and light and life into our world. And salt makes us thirsty--O might we thirst for the Living Water, Lord, and encourage that thirst in others. Help us make them thirsty to find You, the ultimate and joyous satisfaction of all their heart's thirstiness.
So as we've hollered out to all of our children for over 20 years whenever they've left the house--whether for school or for sports or for any event--
"Salt and light--make a difference!"
O Lord, may it be so for our college students...and all our students....and all their parents...and every single one of us. Make us salty, Lord! Make us shine brightly with Your Light. And might we make a difference for eternity for You. To God be the glory.
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