It is Christ's love that compels me, for I am convinced that he died for all, that everyone who lives, should no longer live for themselves but for Christ, who died and gave himself up for everyone. Jesus Christ died for me, that I might be free from the bondage of sin here on earth, and free from eternal separation from God. This grand and unrepeatable act of love is what drives me to give my life away everyday.
EDGE Corps is the current avenue of which I am giving my life to others. To help college students grow in their faith and for me to learn to walk more closely with God has been one of the greatest privileges in my life thus far.
December 14-16 college students and young adults from all over the country gathered at the Glen Eyrie Conference Center for EDGE Preview to hear more about how they can give their lives away while in college, after graduation, and in their careers. At any given moment you'd see students with paper and pen, eyes squinted, searching for God in the pages of his Word.
The Lord also affirmed me in the significance of spending your life on behalf of the Gospel, through encouraging statements of women I have influenced in these past two years. Kari Weiss, a West Texas A&M student who I mentored at a 2007 Summer Training Program in Missouri, stood up and shared how I helped her learn the benefits of daily time with God, and never gave up on her even though she struggled with consistency and early mornings. Coele Stone, a student in my ministry at UCCS shared that I helped her learn how to share her faith and read the Bible with a co-worker. God even let me be used at the conference with Emily Jones of the University of Dayton, by spending some time with her praying over difficulties back home.
Sometimes I don't want to give my life away. Sometimes I want to keep it all to myself and do the things I have my heart set on (like attempting to bake the perfect biscotti, or searching for the perfect winter shoes, or even just laying around). While these things aren't inherently wrong, they can stem from selfishness, a stubborn heart, or even lack of discipline. I can't replace loving others and helping them on behalf of myself all the time. Jesus says those who want to save their lives will lose them.
Remembering what Jesus did for me produces motivation to go and do the same for him. Right now that looks like EDGE Corps, and for many of the students who came to EDGE Preview, the next two years will look similar to them. But for those in the full time work force, student-dom, or professional diaper changing, you too can give your life away right where you're at. Think of Christ and what his love for you accomplished on the cross. Then say, "Jesus, my life is yours, how should I live today?"
He will probably want you to spend time with him, and he will probably give you opportunities to love, serve, give, and share truth with others. Will we take hold of these things? Or will we keep living for ourselves?
Christ's love compels me. . .may it compel you too.
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