The Gospel.

Those that walk the closest with me know that I have spent the past 4 months doing stuff with college campus ministries. Really, mostly, learning the college culture nowadays-- and getting my swag on. haha! Actually, I have been learning so much about the next generation and the things that college students are facing in today's society. Drugs. Sexual purity. Alcohol. Pressure. Sexuality. Left to themselves to find their way, you can imagine where that leads...

Over the last 7 years or so, sex-trafficking has become a household term. I remember the first time I heard it, I almost didn't know how to process the idea that girls were being sold for sex. Not sure if I can even say it was overwhelming. I think that I was more "blank". And, over the last few years, I have learned just a little bit about it. The evil. The pure disregard for human life. The shame connected to it. And, that it happens all over the world… even the U.S. Again, you can imagine the life altering affect this has on a young girl…

And, lately… shootings. Just in the last 10 days I have read or heard about 3 of them. In different areas, with different motives, and different situations. But, shootings. Innocent people being killed. 

Its like, one morning they got dressed to go to work, just like I did this morning. 

Then, they drove in to work and spent the day at a cubicle, just like I did today. 

Maybe, then they decided to go shopping or workout at the Y, just like I did tonight. 

And, they were shot and killed. Innocent victims. Someone's daughter. Someone's mom. Someones son or cousin. 

I found myself on the stair climber tonight watching the news of a shooting today, and felt fear come over me. What if someone came in here and just started shooting. Instantly, I started thinking "this is all just too much. Maybe I should be more careful about where I go."

Then, Jesus spoke to me. "Reach out to these people around you." 

I started to look around, and felt the weightedness of the opportunity that I have today to lend a smile, have a conversation, or start a friendship with someone that is outside of my safe, Christian bubble. I found myself saying in my heart, "I wonder if these shooters (or sex traffickers) had Christians that were around them?" I mean, did God tug on someone's heart to share the love of the Gospel with them? I wonder. 

I look at all the opportunities I have to join the Holy Spirit in what He is doing on the earth in the lives of people-- and I am grieved by how I have allowed myself to become so selfish and self-centered with my prayers and with my time. And, I have wept over my fears of how I will be perceived if I pray for someone at the grocery store. I am so saddened by the way that I have emptied the power out of the Gospel by not believing fully the life found in it. It is the power of God unto salvation for those that believe…and the more I read it with a desire to share it with others, I am overwhelmed by the welcoming nature of the Gospel. All are welcome…but, they must be told. We have to tell them… "there is room at the Cross. Come, sit next to me"…

Rescuing sex trafficking victims and heightening gun laws are a MUST. I love what Christine Cain is doing with the A21 Campaign, and am so thankful for her bravery-- and for what God is doing to restore the lives of the girls that are being rescued! My question, though, is what about the men that are selling these girls? My question is, what about the parents of the 16 year old girl that is exposing her to deep racial hatred? These people that act out in such violence, are hopeless and hurting. THEY, too, need to hear about the Good News of forgiveness and healing. We can rescue, and we can educate… but only Jesus can heal the deepest longing of those that are committing these acts. Only Jesus can come into their hearts and make them clean. Only Jesus, because of His death, burial, resurrection and ascension, can give life and true hope. Lasting and full. 

I don't know. I'm not sure how to "end" this post. I guess, I would just ask that we, as Christians, would be more aware of those around us… those that are in need of Jesus. Personally, I have felt deeply challenged the last few days to take some time to learn how to really present and explain the Gospel...in its entirety. 

God. Sin. Separation. Redemption. Jesus. The Cross. Repentance. New Life. 

Lets take steps to not just "be the gospel without using words", and lets actually take steps to articulate the Gospel with love, compassion and truth. 

I admit that I have never prayed with someone to give their lives to Jesus. Never. 

My prayer is that this year, that will change.