It was a Friday afternoon, a third of the way through my first semester in college and I was ready to check out for the night and decompress over the weekend. I had just spent most of my college experience in a whirlwind of discovery between my first college courses, life in a dorm and campus life which included ‘who would be my friends’ and ‘where do I fit in everything’. As I sat at my desk and opened my laptop to do nothing productive, I got a call. It was my small group leader. I thought, if I answer this, “I may lose my time.” Against that thought, I answered the call from my new friend. Before I could say “Hi”, Kyle, my leader said “Get in the car. I’m downstairs. You’re coming to the fall retreat.” I had intentionally not signed up for the Chi Alpha retreat. I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy a weekend away with these new friends. Too many unknowns. I politely told Kyle “Hey. I didn’t sign up for--” Before I could finish, Kyle said “I know. I signed you up and paid for you. Hurry up and pack. We’re waiting downstairs.” I shoved some things in my pillowcase not really sure what I needed and got in Kyle’s car where some of my other small group members, Randy and Manny, were already in the car waiting for me. Off we went to some camp in the middle of nowhere. I sheepishly chose a bed in the corner of a rambunctious room of twenty guys all way too excited in anticipation of the weekend’s events. What did they know that I didn’t? Hundreds of college students chose to gather in this rustic meeting hall for a weekend of real community building with one another but most importantly in pursuit of real devotion to King Jesus. The way they worshipped as if God was in the room, took notes from the speaker as if every word was a revelation regarding life and death, and spent time together as if they had this common understanding of a deeper cause. Kyle was my tour guide that weekend. He helped me to understand what I was observing so I could feel comfortable enough to participate in it for myself. By the end of that weekend, I began to understand the significance of this family and army of God even if I couldn’t yet articulate it. It was a turning point that not only changed my entire college experience, it changed my life. That never wouldn’t have happened if Kyle hadn’t fought for me to be a part. I am so glad I got in that car on that Friday afternoon. Honestly though, I never wouldn’t have gotten in the car if he hadn’t first found me in that first week of school and invited me to small group. And as I got to know him from I went to small group and hung out with him over lunch I was fed the word of God as he helped me to engage with the realities of who God was alongside my friends who quickly became brothers.
Kyle sacrificed his time to find, and fight for me because he cared more for my eternity than I did. What could motivate someone to make such a sacrifice? Someone had done the same thing for him, Kyle Crouch. And Josh Bell did the same for Kyle Crouch. And Paul Brown did the same for Josh Bell. I was being discipled into a lineage of spiritual disciples who had experienced and been transformed by the deep love of God. Romans 5:8 says that “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: That while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The sacrificial love of God so deeply moves a person that they must share it with others because it is so significant and life changing. Thanks to Kyle finding, feeding and fighting for me (even when I didn’t want it) I have experienced this love and can’t help but share the same with you. The question is ‘Do you know that God so loved you that He gave His only son so that you might have eternal life?’ and if you do, are you sharing it? Go find, feed and fight for the lost lambs of God. The broken world is waiting.
Kyle sacrificed his time to find, and fight for me because he cared more for my eternity than I did. What could motivate someone to make such a sacrifice? Someone had done the same thing for him, Kyle Crouch. And Josh Bell did the same for Kyle Crouch. And Paul Brown did the same for Josh Bell. I was being discipled into a lineage of spiritual disciples who had experienced and been transformed by the deep love of God. Romans 5:8 says that “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: That while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The sacrificial love of God so deeply moves a person that they must share it with others because it is so significant and life changing. Thanks to Kyle finding, feeding and fighting for me (even when I didn’t want it) I have experienced this love and can’t help but share the same with you. The question is ‘Do you know that God so loved you that He gave His only son so that you might have eternal life?’ and if you do, are you sharing it? Go find, feed and fight for the lost lambs of God. The broken world is waiting.