Many of you know, my dad is building a house close to CN's campus. It has been a very exciting and very draining process. I have learned SO much about building, and the language that goes along with it. Ha ha! There have been times I have walked into Home Depot asking for, "one of those things that does that." What a humbling and learning experience!
Well, along with this house God has changed SO much in my life since even the summer! Going into this semester, I had comfort in the fact that Nicole, one of my roommates from last year would be living in the new house my dad has built with me. And, close to the end of the summer Nicole was praying about moving out of state and told me she was not going to live in the house, in case God was in fact calling her to move. I am so proud of Nicole for being obedient! BUT, I on the other was not looking at the BIG picture like Nicole was. I immediately started getting upset with God! I remember thinking, 'You've placed Tyler in Chattanooga, You're taking Nicole away from me, You are moving me to a new place, You've got me here ALL by myself, with no control anymore!' And God's still small voice replied, 'You're right where I want you. Remember, Madison, I CAN be trusted.'
WOW! So here I am trying my best to trust what God had planned for this year. Which leads me to an e-mail that I received a few DAYS after my "come to Jesus moment." :) I got an e-mail from a man named Dr. Danny Nicholson, he is the new V.P. of Advancement at Carson-Newman. He explained that he had something he wanted to talk to me about, upon making the trip up to CN for our meeting, I was amazed at this man's enthusiasm and heart and love for the Lord, he is really inspirational! (I can't say enough as to how great I think he is.) But, in our meeting he asked if I would like to organize/lead what is now called, The Student Philanthropy Project, at Carson-Newman. I agreed, not really understanding what I was signing up for, but looking back, God had brought me to THIS spot, empty handed, "all alone," scared, and trusting for Him to do BIG BIG things this year.
So, last night was the kick-off. I had the priviledge to speak to about 300-400 students on the project, and how God was calling us as students to GIVE of ourselves, to no longer be selfish, but to do something for others! And in the midst of what I was saying, GOD was doing all the work! I came back from the microphone, and Dr. Nicholson came and handed me a handful of cash. He said, "this is from the catering staff." You see we had our event catered by Aramark, and the staff that prepared the food overheard what God was/is doing and brought together all the cash they had in the back to GIVE. They were in uniform there were SERVING already, but GOD IS SO BIG! HE does things BIG! He calls EVERYONE to be selfless, even those who are already being selfless! Even those who are already serving, KEEP serving! We aren't "SPECIAL" or to be noticed because we are serving God, we are doing what we are CALLED to do! (I am speaking to myself here!)
So, needless to say, I noticed the power of God last night in what the kitchen staff did. I was literally speechless when Dr. Nicholson handed me the money. And with tears in my eyes, I realized HOW BIG what we were doing was, and how God had/has his hand all over this thing that I thought I was coordinating. Boy, was I wrong, God was doing ALL the work and I had to step back and let Him do it!
One final thing that God has showed me over the past few weeks is how obedience and hard work pay off. Upon leaving the event last night Dr. Nicholson pulled me aside. And he is so good at thanking me for working with him but, last night he said something that was so profound, and God was speaking through what he said to me. He said,
"Dear sister in Christ, I am so proud of you."
My thought immediatly went to how it must feel for God to look at us and say, "I am so proud of you!" When we have, "Fought the good fight of the faith." 1 Timothy 6:12, and God says, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" Matthew 25:23 I focus on the word SERVANT first. It didn't say, 'Well done good and faithful Christian', it said SERVANT! We must serve. And next, I focus on "Come and share in your master's happiness." I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE WHAT SHARING IN GOD'S HAPPINESS MUST BE LIKE! I think I have experienced it, but I have an idea that I don't even know the beginning of it!
Let's be servants. Let's know that the Lord CAN BE TRUSTED. Let's TRUST. Let's know that He is working out things for our good, while all we need to do is SERVE. Let's serve Him. Let's serve others. Let us one day hear from the mouth of God, "I am SO proud of You!"
P.S. The name of the Philanthropy Project is (re)ACTION, if you are interested in learning more, don't hesitate to e-mail me. We working/serving to donate money to non-profit organizations in the name of Christ!
No comments:
Post a Comment