"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them." - Matthew 18:20 (ESV)
In a sorority or fraternity house full of 40+ girls or guys, it's hard to believe that someone could ever feel alone. Yet, I have repeatedly heard how lonely students feel in this environment. I have also seen students try to face the incredible hardships and temptations that the Greek system involves alone. It has not yet been a triumphant battle, and I personally don't believe that it is meant to be. Jesus promises us in Matthew that where two or more gathered in His name, He will be present among them. We are humans in need of accountability, enouragement, prayer and even rebuking and correcting. It is impossible for us to receive this if we are separated from the body. And so this has been our prayer, that each house would have two or more believers that can gather in Jesus' name, who can love each other, build each other up, point each other toward Christ. And guess what. He is answering our prayers!
Just in the past couple of weeks, two Bible studies have started up in sorority houses and one more is on the way! And not only did God provide just two or three to gather together, but between eight and ten girls! The mission of Campus Crusade for Christ is to help build spiritual movements everywhere, so that everyone knows someone who truly follows Jesus. The girls in these houses now have access to a body of believers who truly follow Jesus! This is something that some students may never experience throughout their whole time in college. Our prayer is that that will change! These Greek women are being given the opportunity to not only grow together through the Word, through encouragement and through accountability, but they are being given the opportunity to "give light to everyone in the house." Jesus says to His disciples in Matthew 15, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Let that be our prayer as we pray for the women in these Bible studies, the women in their houses and the students in the Greek system at USC, that they may see their good deeds and praise our Father in heaven. It is sometimes noticeable when there is one person pushing against the crowd as they all walk in one direction, but when there is a group of people making their way against the flow, it is impossible not to notice. Our hope is that they will begin to ask that beloved question: "Why?"
