By Abigail Ballard
This month has been full of a whole new set of challenges, and blessings, that the Lord has used to grow the students of Grinnell College. Every Tuesday during Noon Prayer we have been going over the book of Daniel. We have reviewed what is means to have Daniel type of faith in our modern generation, and how to live boldly with full faith in our day to day actions.
During our other meetings Monday-Friday, we discuss whatever is current, or a topic that the leading person that day wishes to present to the group. Many topics have surfaced, and the students have inspired me to look deeper into several different subjects. We have discussed exactly what it means to fast, and what kind of fasting is glorifying to God. We have shared parts of our intimate relationship with Christ with each other, trying to get to know one another on a deeper level. The resounding question, “what areas in your life are you afraid to be weak in, so Christ can be strong” asked by one of our male participants really caught everyone off guard and led into a discussion illustrating some of our deepest fears. Some of the students are learning to be more vulnerable, realizing that to be the greatest means to be the least, and even though they are in a competitive environment, the only true gain is to serve others like Christ would.
Another topic that has emerged in light of the current political situations, is justice. The students have constantly covered what exactly justice looks like, acts like, even smells like! I have heard so many times that “Our God is a God of justice!” We have read Isiah 58, and verse by verse tried to understand how we can best serve the fellow students of Grinnell who feel like they are left without hope. This following week Grinnell Campus is participating in the Rise March against Trump and the movement of our government. Even though my fellow believers were unsure of whether to ignore, or participate, they prayed and came up with an amazing way to shed a positive light for the students. We have decided to make shirts that say “I Want To Hear Your Story”, and be active in the march, but only to hear the hurt and pain of others around us.
The students again have inspired my heart to grow and see things through a new light. I feel so humbled to be a part of this group and ministry, with amazing leaders such as Cody and Daniel, and the leaders of Noon Prayer. I am so excited to see what this next month will bring, and the investment these students are putting in Christ.
