These words usually lose their significance and become droll reading. But can you imagine what those words would become if each and everyone of those names brought individual importance to us with all the connotations that go with that. Imagining that our God in heaven looks at each one of those names knowingly, because everyone holds some sort of divine significance in his grand plan.
It brings to mind one of my favorite sections in scripture in Hebrews 12:1 where the author considers how we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. I love that! It's so cool, so humbling, so awe-inducing. The fact that we are a part of something so much greater than me, you, all our mistakes, and even our individual successes. That's awesome that we have the privilege to be privy to God's master plan in a sense. That is to spread the Gospel, making disciples of men, while loving our Lord and loving others even more than we love ourselves.
Bringing it back into my own realm, I think of my last four years and the lineage that of have been able to be apart of through a campus ministry. I've literally intersected, criss-crossed, and overlapped with more fellow believers than I can even bring to mind at one time.
Some graduated, some stuck around for awhile, some moved on, others I knew for only a few weeks, more I probably only met once or twice, but there were undoubtedly so many people who shaped my growth as a believer and also influenced the world for the good of the kingdom.
I think of our own movement, and I'll label those who came before us "the pioneers," because they were a fledgling band to begin with, but it's awesome to see how faithful the Lord has been with their work. What followed was our freshmen class, a group that truly bonded and we had enough numbers to become a close-knit community that in many ways became sort of a nucleus for our ministry. At the beginning of this year I wanted to make sure that we left our movement in such a place that it would be flourishing without us, and although I cannot know God's plans I am confident that he will continually be faithful, because I have already seen him begin working in the other classes.
Our sophomore class who we still somewhat consider "the freshmen" are now coming into their own element, taking on more responsibility, and building their own close knit community which while still connected to the greater body reflect what we began our freshmen year. And our freshmen, our real freshmen, seem to be beginning to understand what it means to be committed to Christ, part of a greater body of believers.
This is not really for my own edification, but a thanks to all those who came before us as students and cultivated us, because your kindness, love, and faithfulness was not in vain. We are getting to seemingly see some of the fruit of your labor as we continue to attempt cultivate younger believers like you did with us.
Now I'm making this sound like some grand, amazing, extraordinary thing that's been unfolding in front of my eyes step by step and day by day. But it doesn't usually look like that, because we are imperfect, get easily distracted, turned off, and so on. But God's plan is bigger and He is working behind the scenes.
To all who are younger, remember what Paul said to Timothy, Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young. I even have to remind myself of that. And furthermore the best advice comes straight from Christ,
"Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandmnets and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." ~ John 15
My prayer is that God's joy may be in all of us no matter what, because we are people so rooted in Him. We know our lineage, we know our family, we know our calling, and we are joint heirs in Christ. Don't take that lightly, but enjoy it!
All the glory to him,
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