Call to Glow

Dear SL,

Greetings!

You know what? Life in campus is full of grace and new learning not only for students but for me as well! If you are in a rat race of activity, God can get you out of it. I saw Him get Jasmine out of it.

Jasmine was a freshman when I first knew her, a student with good mind and a pleasing way, attending College on an academic scholarship. She began to do lot of challenging things. In the first place, Jasmine professed to be a Christian and wanted her friends to know Christ. She and Jean started a Bible study in the dorm. Then she gave tuition to the children in the neighbourhood with very minimal charges, another influence for Christ. Next were a Christmas night project, and several other worthwhile things in the Church. At the same time many of jasmine’s hours were going into academic study. It was a busy, stimulating life.

But as the weeks went on, things didn’t seem quite right. The Bible study group didn’t get very far. Friends didn’t seem too interested in Christ. In spite of her ability Jasmine found that studies were growing bigger than she was. A sizeable problem developed over time. Activities seemed to be bumping into one another. Things begun were hard to finish. On and on it went—very unsatisfying, the parts not adding up to the amount she had figured on. The worse thing is, fellow Christians think she is not glowing for Christ, even so, not good enough!! Was this the Christian life?

Now, a year late, Jasmine is a different girl. Did becoming a second year student make the difference? Possibly, a little. Did she have a “scholarship chat” with the Head of School? I don’t know.

I do know that Jasmine now has a serenity (like a sunshine, I’d say.J) which speaks to me of Christ. I know that her roommate and another girl are thinking seriously about Christianity, and that the Bible study is catching fire. Other Christians on campus will tell you that Jasmine has been a great encouragement to them too (she meets regularly with some of them to pray). Her time with God is a fruitful time now. Studies come second to it, but studies now seem to be the proper size (even though she studies more). I can see the beginning of a walk of faith, she is glowing for Christ!

By God grace, I have a chat with her and asked about the change. She said that during the semester break she surrendered all to Christ. Then, when His will was plain to her she followed Him.

It was about April when Jasmine began to understand His will for her time on campus. God was asking her to settle down to do a few things for Him, she concluded—to do them well. He directed her to do three things along with her regular quiet time and studies. In her particular campus situation they made wonderful sense.

1. She should help lead the evangelistic Bible study, preparing thoroughly for it;
2. She should pray regularly with the other Christians;
3. She should have open spaces in her schedule for hanging-out with Non-Christian friends.

And that’s the way she began to live: a few things prayed for, done in His power and with His character and peace. This is the life of faith, a faith that is CALL TO GLOW!!

Dear SL, you can also glow like Jasmine. You can know God’s will for you in the campus. The details may be different from what Jasmine found, but the principles will be the same: surrendering to Him, asking Him to be the manager of “your” time, doing only as much as you can adequately pray for and do in the power of Holy Spirit.

To shine for Him and to glow for Him is a choice. Choose to follow our Lord Jesus Christ who works among the people. Not to glow within the four walls (Church, Christians houses etc.) but to glow in the community (that’s the campus!). Just like what Jesus has commanded in Matthew 5: 13-16

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 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.”

Be ready SL, gear to glow and glow with Him and for Him!

Take care and god bless!

Your brother,

Chu Kok