Betsy and Kendra, students at Eastern University and members of Transformed!, a student-led drama ministry
Luke 18:27-30
Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!”
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”
During a recent Sunday night service, the above passage was read aloud as sort of an aside. It struck me so poignantly though, as one directly called into ministry. I drank in the promises of the Lord, and reflected on how much we have already received in this age.
It didn't take long to start piling on the many things God has given us, both personally and in ministry. I stood beside my husband in church, worshipping alongside my partner in ministry and in life. I looked up as the worship leader lead us through liturgy and song--Zack, a junior at Temple U who has been in our lives for the last two years. His wife, Jocelyn (a junior at Eastern U) kept beat on the drums. She has also been in our lives for two years, and I hope for many more.
The students filling the pews came from neighboring schools-- West Chester, Eastern, Haverford-- and each week we cherish the time we have driving them back and forth from college to church and back again. The pews are also filled with generations of believers-- the Mells, who have been attending the church since its near beginning, and the Chandlers, who recently moved here from Texas a few years ago but have taught us so much about the importance of genuine relationships with church members.
I think about the groups we are involved with on campus-- Precious Movements, the girls who pour heart, soul, and body into their dance-mime ministry; Transformed!, the eight college thespians who are committed to sharing the love of Christ through honest drama; our small group, a collection of people who gather on Monday nights to go deeper in their relationship with Christ-- and I think, "Yes. God has blessed us much in this life."
And when we finally return to our South Philly home at night, we are greeted by the joyful shouts of our 2-year-old nephews, and the kindness of my brother and sister-in-law.
We are surrounded by the church of Christ--by people who are transformed by the Living God and encourage the same transformation through their relationships. We are sustained by the financial sacrifices of the saints--by the prayers of so many people. In our every step of life, we are in relationships with believers, and this has blessed us abundantly.
At this time of Thanksgiving, we pray that you too can reflect on the many things God has given to you in this life.
Praise and Honor and Glory be unto Him!!
-Rachel
