Lessons and Stories from GS: #1 - The Fortress of Family

18 students. 14 staff.  1 family. 

It's amazing how quickly a group can grow together.  In just 2 1/2 weeks in Breckenridge, we witnessed the unity of the body to which Paul so often challenged the Ephesians.  Paul reminds us that unity in the body and maturity in our faith go hand in hand (Eph. 4:11-16).  It's not a coincidence that staff and students leave summer projects missing the fellowship that existed during their experience.  We long for it when we leave because that is how God created us to live.  He created us to be in community with one another.  Sharing our lives, praying for one another, encouraging each other, studying the Word together and, ultimately, pointing one another toward Christ. 

As we sat around tables at our end-of-project banquet, it is what each student mentioned they would miss the most.  The fellowship is unparalleled.  Most of these students will be returning to sororities and fraternities in the fall where they will have little or no Christian fellowship.  Starting a Bible study, initiating spiritual conversations, sharing their testimonies - these may all be tasks conquered by just them and the Holy Spirit.  

It almost makes it seem unfair to have experienced what I did in college.  The incredible body of believers that existed in my house and in my life.  It is so easy to take for granted and so easy to stay within.  It's comfortable and satisfying and effortless.  But how could I have been satisfied with the knowledge that beyond my family, my comfort zone, my community, there were girls suffering and searching.  In a place where there are so many who are lost, it is incredible how our own body of believers can stand between us and them, building a wall that prevents us from living out the Great Commission.  We are stuck in a fortress of family.

"Break our hearts for what breaks Yours."