Today is the end of the second week of school. The semester, per usual, has started off with a flurry of events - social, work, and class events. This semester is different though - it's my last as a student. I won't have to go through the ordeal of getting books, or read another syllabus after this semester.
So what does that mean for me? What have I accomplished in my time here at K-State? Some would say that I've learned in my classes (which I don't always feel is the case), others would say I've made money in my work (which my bank account would argue with), and my contact list would show me that I've met many people. But what lasting effect is there? It's a question that takes some thought to answer, and I won't be able to answer it in one post...or ten.
The biggest difference in my life after 4 years of college is my spiritual life. I've grown so much since arriving, and that ultimately is by the grace of God. We hear a lot anymore about people falling away from the Church - youth going off to college and forsaking the Church completely. So why didn't that happen to me? What made me different? Many things, but there is one particular thing that has kept me sane: fellowship.
Fellowship is more than just friendship - it's an association built on a common identity found in Christ. That identity, my life as Christian, defines me. I am a sinner saved by grace through faith in Christ. When I'm with other people who share that identity, and we're seeking to encourage each other to live out that identity - that is fellowship.
So where have I found fellowship? In the Church. Not surprisingly, the best place to look for other people who are Christians is the Church. I don't mean church (notice the lowercase) in the sense of a particular congregation, but Church - the whole body of Christ. The Church doesn't have congregational boundaries - I've had some great fellowship with people who don't attend the same church that I do.
So, if you're going to call yourself a Christian, then you better be acting like one. Go to church - it's not an option, it's who you are. If that doesn't jive with your thinking, then maybe we should talk.
Until next time,
Joel
So what does that mean for me? What have I accomplished in my time here at K-State? Some would say that I've learned in my classes (which I don't always feel is the case), others would say I've made money in my work (which my bank account would argue with), and my contact list would show me that I've met many people. But what lasting effect is there? It's a question that takes some thought to answer, and I won't be able to answer it in one post...or ten.
The biggest difference in my life after 4 years of college is my spiritual life. I've grown so much since arriving, and that ultimately is by the grace of God. We hear a lot anymore about people falling away from the Church - youth going off to college and forsaking the Church completely. So why didn't that happen to me? What made me different? Many things, but there is one particular thing that has kept me sane: fellowship.
Fellowship is more than just friendship - it's an association built on a common identity found in Christ. That identity, my life as Christian, defines me. I am a sinner saved by grace through faith in Christ. When I'm with other people who share that identity, and we're seeking to encourage each other to live out that identity - that is fellowship.
So where have I found fellowship? In the Church. Not surprisingly, the best place to look for other people who are Christians is the Church. I don't mean church (notice the lowercase) in the sense of a particular congregation, but Church - the whole body of Christ. The Church doesn't have congregational boundaries - I've had some great fellowship with people who don't attend the same church that I do.
So, if you're going to call yourself a Christian, then you better be acting like one. Go to church - it's not an option, it's who you are. If that doesn't jive with your thinking, then maybe we should talk.
Until next time,
Joel
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