Collegelife

I've started three different posts this week in a frustrated attempt at getting my thoughts down "on paper". None of them have been very satisfactory. This one may not be either, but I'm determined to post it no matter how terrible it turns out.

My roommate is at play practice so I've got the entire dorm to myself. Three beds, two desks and a mini fridge. What am I going to do with so much space? I could turn up the music real loud and dance around - youtube is playing Vampire Weekend right now.

But I don't really like loud music.

I think that I'd rather cuddle up here on my bed and talk about collegelife. Every Sunday night North Park students gather at Anderson Chapel to worship God together. We sing, and sing, and sing. Someone gives a message. And then we sing again. I like to tell people that it is like a church service but so much better.

One thing I've always loved about being overseas is having the privilege of praising God with people of other cultures. To know nothing else about the person next to you except that they know and love the same Jesus Christ that you do is one of my favorite things about the kingdom of God. When I am in the midst of that kind of worship I feel closer to heaven than anywhere else. And it is that kind of joy, that treasure, that I experience at collegelife each week. I get almost giddy when I look around and see my fellow students shamelessly honoring their Father. It speaks to the power of God, the individuality of God, and the community of God. He can cross all boundaries of race, gender, culture - he is the God of everyone.

I don't know where I am going with this post, except to say that I love being a part of the body of Christ. I love it. I just do. I think that some people have a very narrow concept of the body, but I truly believe that this community that I joined when I put my faith in my Savior spans generations and cultures, oceans and deserts. I find comfort and fulfillment knowing that even while I am struggling and striving here at my little university in Chicago, there are others around the world going through the same things and fighting the same fight, trusting in God to lead them through.

It is beautiful. What God has made is beautiful. Praise him from whom all blessings flow.

A group of people I had the privilege of serving and worshipping with this summer.