Growth and understanding: “I did a 180”
The Lord has swept the UKZN campus this semester, causing students to grow exponentially in their fellowship with Him and with the community around them. There are countless stories to share about seeing the growth in these students’ lives, but one in particular stands out.
Jennifer and Rose got involved with CCC after attending the camp we held in June this last summer. The two casually accepted an invitation to the camp from a friend, who was actively involved with the movement. Little did they know, it would be a turning point for both women. They have never taken their faith seriously nor ever pursued a growing relationship with the Lord, until that weekend. It was there that they felt the presence of the Lord and experienced solid community for one of the first times. They certainly left the camp differently than when they came. Eager to experience growth and understanding after the camp, Jennifer and Rose joined a Bible study that I would be leading the next semester. Each week we met and made our way through the gospel of John. In our times together we had the chance to ask questions and process through what it means to develop our relationships with Jesus. Each week the girls showed up with new questions. They were interested, but something was missing in their exploration.
A couple weeks ago our National Campus Director, Jackie Bland, visited the UKZN campus. During her visit, the committee planned a gathering with Jackie as the main speaker. The theme of the get-together was “I did a 180.” Jackie was asked to speak on what it looks like to surrender all areas of your heart to Jesus as you let Him turn your life completely around. She shared with twenty plus students how to move from being a casual Christian, to an active follower of Christ. Sitting in the front row that day were Jennifer and Rose. As Jackie shared her heart for Jesus and the work He’s done in her life, the girls listened intently, occasionally nodding in agreement. After several stories and examples of the transformation Christ has done in lives of many people, Jackie concluded her talk with a challenge. She asked each student to consider if they were truly letting Jesus turn their life around. Boldly, she said, “Have you done a 180?” It was encouraging to look across the room and see so many students seriously contemplating their answer to her question.
After the talk, I approached the two girls and immediately could tell that something had hit them. Our discussion was brief as the girls had to rush off, but they left eager and excited for our next Bible study! The next week I asked the girls to share their thoughts and before I could finish my sentence, big smiles stretched across their faces. Interrupting each other with overwhelming excitement, they shared with me the truth they had discovered from Jackie’s talk. Jennifer explained that she had realized what was missing in her relationship with Jesus. She was casually following the Lord and not actively pursuing a relationship with Him. Rose explained that she had felt like something was missing in her relationship with God as well, but until listening to Jackie’s talk she never knew what it was. Both women realized that they had accepted Jesus into their hearts at the camp, but hadn’t surrendered their lives to his control. With huge smiles on their faces they both said, “I want to do a 180!”
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