The Gardener

This morning, I witnessed a heated religious debate. On the Tech campus, a man wearing a shirt emblazoned with the words "You deserve hell" and on the back "hell awaits you" was holding a large staff with a cross with Jesus Christ on it. He was waving wildly at the large crowd of students gathered around him and shouting that sinners must repent. Interested, we stopped to observe the commotion and soon noticed this was not a friendly debate. No, he had just told a Jewish girl she could never inherit the Kingdom of God and that she would burn for eternity. Outraged, the girl began debating back with the man. Many others of various denominations (or lack thereof) were shouting equally as loud. I was confused. Never had I seen someone openly condemn so many people to eternity in hell!

The point of this blog is not to complain about a crazy religious nut. Today was such a blessing from the Lord! I have been praying for sometime that the Lord would breakthrough on the Tech campus and for Him to expand my boundaries. He did both today. I was able to question the man some and voice my own opinions but I was also able to share with an unbeliever the love of the Lord!

I learned a great deal from today. One, there are a LOT of opinions and people love to be heard about theirs. Also, there were several instances in which God was not being invited into the debate. I am guilty of this. At one point, I was very concerned with only convincing this man that he was wrong. It was at the point I could feel God tapping on my heart which I realized there was a greater war to be fought than that of a slightly deranged man's false teachings. Around that circle were so many students missing out on the goodness and love of God! It was time to stop worrying about this man and more about our mission as Christians. That is when amazing happened. I watched as Christians began turning their backs to this man and speaking the truth of God's love and true salvation.

It has made me wonder- How often do I pursue personal gratification by being right than I pursue the mission God has for me on this earth? The answer? Too often and by doing so I am losing opportunities to bring the lost to my Lover, Protector, and Father. The Lord was good to me today. He pushed me out of my comfort zone and held me close once I got there. He never left. I pray that I will forever live outside of my comfort zone!

He taught me a greater lesson today than I could ever have thought. He taught me compassion, how to have an open mind and heart, how things look outside of my own personal bubble...and how much of a difference a personal testimony can make. I don't know if any kids were brought to the Kingdom of God today, but some seeds were planted. It's a good thing that our God has a green thumb :)