Getting on God's Agenda

 Hi!

I think I am allowed to say this since fall has officially started, "Happy Fall Y'all!" I hope you have been enjoying the slowly cooling weather, and maybe even wearing some long sleeves. Here is a bit of what's been going on!

Throughout this past month, I've seen the theme of living with God's agenda and not our own. Whether through my personal selfishness, a new student looking at their priorities with being at school, or the story of God's people throughout the Old Testament, the temptation to live a life for ourselves is prevalent. This month I have been consistently reminded of how intentional we humans have to be to be on God's agenda; I've seen how our own priorities, goals, attention, and schedules can get sidetracked from the Lord's. 

As I've read through more of the Old Testament in the Apprentice class, I see myself in the Israelites quite often. I too forget how much God has already provided, how many times he has been faithful, and how Good He has always been. When I chose to get on God's agenda, to trust in His timing and plan, I have full life. A couple of girls that I study the Bible with one on one, Focus on Jesus, have been given a similar invitation. I have watched them respond to the invitation of the Spirit to get on God's agenda as they realize how they haven't been. The Collin staff team recently talked through Acts 20:22-36 during one of our meetings. (Sidenote: what a massive blessing it is to work on a team that truly cares about being life long learners and people committed to humility). I was CONVICTED. The degree to which Paul internalized the truth that his life was not his own, that his agenda was nothing, left me a bit speechless. I'll leave some of those verses here for you to ponder as well:

22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
25 “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God,[a] which he bought with his own blood.[b] 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

One other way I have seen God at work is through my cofa (co-facilitator), Addie. This is her first year leading core, and walking in obedience to serve her community. As she is adjusting to the new commitment and responsibilities of being a student leader, I see how much God is shaping her. Coming back into campus ministry from working full time, I am excited to watch student leaders like Addie grow, and know that she will be able to take so much of what she is learning now into the work field. 

I'm sure this year will continue to be full of moments and opportunities to get on God's agenda. I'm thankful that His grace is and will be sufficient as I learn to trust Him more. In addition, I am grateful that I get to learn this alongside students and specifically girls in my core. Thank you for your continued support, love, and prayers. Your commitment to be on God's agenda in this way is such a blessing to me and many others. 

Here are so ways you can pray:
-outreach at Collin : we are at each campus of Collin each week reaching out to students and inviting them into community. Prayers that we would listen and follow the Spirit's guidance in this.
-students who are new to community: that we would teach and show Jesus well
-my back: I have a partially slipped disc in my low back and the pain is pretty intense

Please reach out to me with how I can be praying for you! 

With love,

Renee


                  
                This is the fun bunch of girls I am in core with! We still are having new girls coming each week, which has been neat.



          Munazza and KB and I spent an afternoon hanging out and going to the farmers market!




This is CeCe, one of the girls I study the Bible with one on one. I've enjoyed getting to know her story, and to see how God is pursuing her. 

This is one of the first Thursday Night Fellowship, TNF, meetings that we had in our normal inside back of the cafeteria location! Only at Collin :) 

Comments

  1. Ashley oOctober 1, 2021 at 7:32 PM

    Wow my fav lil Collin coug minister!! Proud of you!!!!

    ReplyDelete

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