So, finals week is here and even though I have a list of things to do a friend's encouragement reminded me I could still update. It's been a crazy ten weeks this quarter. Crazy assignments, classes, and definitely teachers, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I've always felt that God had a purpose for me going to college, so no matter what class I've taken or what crazy assignment I've had to do, I have always felt he used even the smallest details of my educational journey.
I was given an assignment a few weeks back to interview someone who had the dream job I wanted. Not really knowing at the time, what my dream job would be, I decided to interview a local Youth Pastor who gave me some wonderful insight. When it came time to present my findings to my classmates I knew perfectly well what I was going to talk about...and I was nervous.
There were three days worth of presentations and ironically enough I was the last person in my class to present. I knew I had to make an impression. Not only did I want my classmates to understand my strong desire to help others, but I also wanted them to understand where it came from. The desires of my heart are not my own, they are a reflection of the Lord and I wanted them to understand that as best they could. Let me remind you, I attend a public university and many of my classmates had already displayed their lack of respect for the Lord.
Needless to say, going in I was a bit leery. I felt like my topic was too serious, too profound...then I told Satan to shut up. My presentation, in summary was meant to paint a picture of a young woman's life in sub-Saharan Africa. Recently raped, and sitting in a room awaiting HIV test results, she was my catalyst for helping them understand my passion and involvement in humanitarian efforts. However, life as a humanitarian is only the foundation. If I am to glorify the Lord, I am going to use this hard earned degree to do it.
But you see, six weeks ago even I didn't know what I was going to use my degree to do. All I knew was that the Lord had led me this far as he was going to eventually show me. And show me, he did. Ironically enough, because of another class I was required to take I fell in love with Conflict Resolution. And after talking to that same pastor I came to realize how much I wanted to work with youth, in conflict resolution, anywhere God would take me. It was such an amazing thing to share with my classmates.
I can't begin to describe how alive I felt proclaiming my love for God in such a way. Needless to say, my classmates were a bit shocked by my presentation, but even more important it brought Glory to God. And I must say, three of my classmates asked me how to get involved in any humanitarian efforts I was involved in. And one openly asked me about how to juggle helping others and releasing the burden to God. The very advice I was given by that Youth Pastor was used to openly discuss the nature of the Holy Spirit in front of my entire class. It was such an amazing moment and the presentation was so rewarding-giving a voice to those who are not heard and having others reply on their behalf.
I couldn't imagine a more gratifying quarter than the one I am about to finish. God has opened up my heart in so many ways and has pushed those boundaries further and further into the relational world I am a part of. I have grown so much in my faith, and I am so glad that the Lord was glorified in all of it.
Mo
P.S. If you want to get involved, there is a simple and easy way to stay up to date with humanitarian efforts around the world and all it takes is a simple letter from you. Visit http://www.worldvision.org/worldvision/wvususfo.nsf/stable/globalissues_homepage to find out more
