Catalyst

"For every act of obedience, there is an equal and opposite blessing." -Brenda Mancilla

Thinking about my freshman year of college brings back so many wonderful memories, but none of them are as wonderful as the times I spent went three people who would have a dramatic impact on my life. (This is where I give a shout-out to Elizabeth Goodin, Mary Catherine Kunze, and Kristen Terlitsky).  These girls and myself were in a Bible study group unlike one I have ever experienced.  This was one I was excited to go to. Every week I could not wait to see these girls and discuss what we had read.  We had intriguing conversations, uplifting prayers, and an intimate space for feelings and fears to be discussed.  Unfortunately, two of these graduated after my freshman year and I was unable to find another group quite like them...that is, until this year.

This year, Winthrop's Baptist Collegiate Ministry was trying out a new concept of small, personal Bible study groups called "Catalyst Groups".   As I reflected over the last year, I was able to see how my attitude has changed.  Two weeks ago, one of the girls in my group said the above quote, "For every act of obedience, there is an equal and opposite blessing". We laughed about how it was close to Newton's laws, but it stuck with me as I reflected over the past year.  I was reluctant at first to take on leading this group of girls I had never met before and knew nothing about, but I knew I felt God calling me to lead one of these groups. I am so glad that I did. That small step of obedience, though at first it was out of a sense of obligation, was the biggest blessing I have received in the last 8 months. I have learned so much from the girls in my Catalyst group, and I wouldn't trade a single one of them for the world. Each one has been a blessing and, although contacting them to be in my group was a random process, I think it was very obvious that God wanted us spend these moments of this year together. I have a sense of pride that comes from these girls and from being a part of Winthrop BCM.  The experiences and relationships that have come from it have forever molded my views of people and of how to live out Christianity.

I challenge you to take small steps of obedience.  God may change a reluctant attitude and bless you with things you never expected.

*Final shout out to Whitney Mitchell, Eramis Gethers, and Brenda Mancilla! Love you girls!

Love is a Verb

"Dear Children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth." -1 John 3:18

"Love is a verb. Love-the feeling-is the fruit of love the verb or our loving actions." -Dr. Stephen Covey

Something that has been on my heart recently with the whole debate of gay marriage is love. (Although this blog applies to so many other topics as well and the whole controversy itself has sparked many other things in my heart.) So many Christians I know responded to this debate with the cliche, "I can be against homosexuality and gay marriage and still love the person" or the "Love the sinner, hate the sin" mentality. While I believe that this is true and you can definitely do this, I must inquire what they believe love is. Here's what I think love is not. Love is not a thought. Love is not proud, rude, selfish, or easily angered. Love is not a feeling. Love doesn't just happen.

Here's what I believe love is...Love is a choice. Love is patient, kind, and does not boast.  Love protects, trusts and perseveres. Most of all, LOVE IS A VERB. It is an action. In the verse above, John spells it out beautifully. "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth." Actions of love can be numerous things that include, but are not limited to, giving to someone in need (as the above verse is used in context), it may be standing up for your fellow brother and sister in Christ, it may be bridging a gap between people of different viewpoints, it may be spending time with someone to show that you care, or it may be doing unto them the best display of love you can, verbalizing the love of Jesus Christ to them. 

As the above quote says, the feeling of love is a fruit of our loving actions. I found this interesting as it implies that we do not act because of our feelings towards a person, but rather our actions induce our feelings.  Feel free to disagree with me, but I think that Dr. Covey is on pointe (although I realize he was not necessarily referring to Biblical love but rather romantic love).  

Here's the challenge for this blog...If you say you love someone, prove it.