Syracuse University

Last night I got to speak to around 60 students who meet weekly in a gathering of the ministry now called CRU.  It's the ministry formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ.  For years I've had the privilege of ministering typically once a semester as a guest speaker to their gathering.  Last night was one of the best yet.

I walked into the auditorium - the Maxwell auditorium - housed in the Maxwell School of Leadership.  I told the students as I began so speak last night that earliert walking up the hill I asked myself - 'Who will be here tonight?'  If Jesus doesn't come first, and if the Lord grants us more years - then where will the students I speak to tonight be in 20 years?  What will their lives be like?  What about their families?  What about ministry God will do through them in all spheres of life?  What about their communities, this nation and even the world?  I knew I would be speaking to difference makers.

I had posted on Facebook that I was headed there to speak.  Shortly before I spoke, I noticed that a pastor who is a friend of mine from Florida had commented on my status to say that both his parents had graduated from SU - one in 1929 and one in 1940.  I was able to share that story with the students.  Who knew that those two SU grads would marry, have a son - and he would be used by God for great impact for the kingdom of God?  God knew.  He writes the story.  History becomes His story.

I taught on the passages the leadership had asked me to speak on as they have themes for this semester.  They also gave me the freedom to challenge them in any way I felt led.  So, I finished with 2 Peter 1:3-10, a passage God has blazing in front of my face the past two weeks.  They welcomed it it seemed to me, and I encourage you to read it and consider it as well.

You see to Keep the Fire Burning, I believe you need to love your community.  I have long been an SU fan.  I have a daughter and son-in-law who are both graduates of Syracuse University.  I still love that place.  I will be going their tonight for Midnight Madness - to support our basketball teams and some friends and encourage them.

I heard someone say recently that 'if you are going to be somewhere, be all there'.  I like that.  In ministry, you may find it easy to think about where you wish you were.  God has you where you are if you have been obedient in following Him.  So stop resisting the challenges, and welcome them as growth opportunities.  One word:  persevere.  The Lord will strengthen your heart.  Love where you live.  Love the Lord where you live.  Love the people where you live.  Jesus does.  He wants to love them through you.  It might even start by speaking to a small group meeting in a small auditorium on a huge campus like I did last night.  Most people will never know we met.  Life was going on all around us throughout the city.  I pray for someone it made an eternity of difference and will in the future.

Be faithful.  Be steadfast.  Be encouraged.  God is at work.  I saw it last night in the eyes of young men and young women at Syracuse University.  Glory to His name!