"I think God wanted us to meet..."

Sometimes I forget that this job I have is actually titled "missionary". Don't get me wrong, I always know who my boss is ;) and I am held accountable in many ways to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit as I do my job. But if I were honest, I sincerely enjoy my job! I get to talk to college students about the eternal love found in a Father who never runs out on them! 

This semester started quickly and has been moving by very fast but there was a sweet pause in the middle of February where I had a conversation that SLOWED ME DOWN! I had the opportunity to conduct a few video interviews with John Biddle, a co-worker on staff at our Regional Office in PA. We chose random college students at Kean University to tell us what they thought about God and spiritual things. "He's just a higher power - up there..." said Zuleika, a junior Latina who struggled with security in her personal relationship with God.

She continued "I looked to him like a Father -- someone I could talk to when i was struggling or even when something good was happening." But she felt estranged from him; "little by little there's been separation between us." I could NOT leave this conversation simply at a video interview! As the interview came to an end, in the confidence of His Word to always give us the words to say, I took a step of faith and asked Zuleika if we could continue the conversation off camera and inside a warm place.  "I think God wanted us to meet, so yeah - that would be nice." 

I took Zuleika into the University Center, where we continued our conversation about the nature of God and the seal of the Holy Spirit. On a scale of 1-10, Zuleika wanted to know God personally at the highest possible value! "Oh yeah. Definitely yes...but I think I did..." I immediately recognized her quick excitement turned disappointment and asked her if she had ever prayed to know God personally through the knowledge and reception of His Son, Jesus. "Yes, I think so. But I don't know - I've been so busy. I don't think I could ever go back to church." 

One of the main reasons I made the decision to join staff was to help bridge the knowledge so many young Christian adults have of Jesus Christ and it's application to their lives. Many don't stand up for their faith or continue to represent Christ because they never really learned who He was and they never understood why it was such a big deal. That day, I explained how big a deal Jesus is and how His love NEVER fails, NEVER gives up, and NEVER runs out on us -- even if we have tried running from Him. He is a Father who NEVER abandons us!

After I prayer with Zuleika to rededicate her life to Christ, she commented: "I know God wanted me to run into you. Thank you so much for stopping to talk to me! Can I have your phone number to talk to you some more about God and Jesus?" Uhh....YES!! 

Just a few short minutes later, I met another young woman who was visibly upset with God for taking her religious aunt out of this world and leaving her 18 year old daughter alone. Having had just lost my aunt as well, I asked if I could pray for her even though she didn't believe in God because I knew He would hear my prayer to bring her comfort. Immediately after our prayer, this second student looked up to me with tears in her eyes and said "WOW...can I hug you? I've never had anyone pray for me before! Thanks so much!! You have no idea what this means to me!"

*Please continue to pray for these two young women as they go about their college careers.
**If you're interested in seeing the video, click here to watch.