I have officially lived in Chicago for not quite six days now. Though it has only been six days I seriously feel as if I have been here for months! Coming into project I knew that I would be able to have a strong since of community because I had so many people from my campus coming with me (ECU is the biggest group here). But, I never expected that the WHOLE group all sixty something students would be so grounded in the same foundation and have a such a connection.
So every year project focuses and studies a book of the Bible. This summer we are studying 1 Peter. Let me tell you, I am beginning to love 1 Peter! On Tuesday nights we have an action group Bible study over the book. This Tuesday we went over chapter 1 verses 1-12. The urgency of the early church really stands out to me in the passage. Though the church was scattered and different from the world they were on fire for Christ! The church lived in such a sense of urgency because of the impending return of Christ. They took opportunity to share the good news and in their generation the entire Roman Empire was touch by the gospel.
Learning this about the Early Church really convicted me. Yeah, I'm on a project with a focus to share the good news, but where is my urgency. I seem to forget the we are not certain of when Christ may come and that people die everyday, their souls forever disconnected from thee Father. But being in this Bible study opened my eyes that having a gospel mindset means, seeking all opportunities for Jesus. Not thinking, "Oh well I have plenty of time to share with this or that person," but to think, "This is the time God has given me to give His Word to another child of His."
So today I was able to put this new thinking to use on my designated campus, UIC (University of Illinois Chicago). On campus we go out with the intention of getting into spiritual conversation with the students that attend. I first went out with my discipler, Rachel (she is great by the way!) We were able to talk to two groups of girls about a survey but never went too deep with them. After these two conversations my discipler and I had lunch and enjoyed great conversation, centered around Christ. The first part of the day we share with our disciplers and then they all leave we students are left to share together. I was paired up with my good friend Sam, and after being rejected once we decided to just sit on a bench and really get to know the fellow God follower that we were paired with. This was a truly fantastic time because we are able to share our stories with each other and just talk about the Magnificence of God.
After talking for awhile Sam and I ventured out again on campus. We were able to get into a great conversation with this one girl. I initiated the conversation with a spiritual survey and was able to speak quite easily with the her, Carmen. When I asked what type of religious background she had, her response was Catholic. While getting to speak to her about why she was dissatisfied with Catholism, she completely hit the nail on the head and told us the she just could not believe that someone could earn their salvation. We completely agreed and Sam asked if she could share a KGP with her. (Knowing God Personally is an outline of how God created us to be relationship with Him and how Jesus is the only way to bridge the gap that sin creates between us and out Maker). After sharing the booklet with her she was super excited and wanted to show it to her Catholic boyfriend. Though we did not see Carmen receive Christ, I know that a seed was planted and that God is in control of the situation.
Just a small picture of how God is working in the city and what He is teaching me.
Love ya'll,
Amanda Driggers
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