Wrenched.

Definition of "Wrenched":

1. A sudden sharp, forcible twist or turn.

2. An injury produced by twisting or straining.

3. A sudden tug at one's emotions; a surge of compassion, sorrow, or anguish.

....When He saw the throngs, He was moved with pity and sympathy for them, because they were bewildered (harassed and distressed and dejected and helpless), like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36 (Amplified)

Today we were handing out "Frosh Kits" to students. A Frosh kit includes:

i.) Copy of the New Testament.
ii.) A 60 page devotional type of book called "Soul Cravings"
iii.) A booklet explaining how a person can enter into a personal relationship with God
iv.) A flyer advertising our different events happening this week
vi.) A survey, asking them to tell us what they believe about the Spiritual component of their life.

Scene: We're standing around our information tables... it's raining... I'm cold...but happy- I have my coffee and I'm having some good conversations with students... so I'm in a good mood!

Student slowly lingers as he's walking past the table. He's wearing a baseball cap with some fraternity symbols on it.... (I'll call him "Calvin... he reminded me of Calvin from the Calvin and Hobbes comics)

Me: "Hey, did you hear about the survey we're doing today?"

Calvin: "No."

Me:" Are you interested in filling it out... ?If your name gets pulled out of a hat.. you can win $1000... and you have a choice to put towards your tuition, or to build a well in Benin, or to support Orphans in Tanzania, or to build a shelter for a family in Haiti..."

Calvin: "Sure, I'll fill it out"....(Fills it out, then stares at it for a minute or two before he hands it back to me.)

Me: I noticed you were mulling over it quite a bit... do you think about this aspect of your life a lot?

Calvin:"Yeah, I think about it all the time."

Me: "Oh, what's your story..."

Calvin: "My family never really talked about it growing up. I never had any friends that talked to me about God or Jesus... no one close to me at least...It's something I've wondered about for a long time... but I've kind of been on my own to figure it out."

Me: "Oh wow... that must be kind of hard... Can I share with you my story... and what the bible says about how we have a personal relationship with God?"

Calvin: "Sure."

Me: (I share the Gospel with him... and ask him what he thinks about it...)

Calvin: "I definitely know I need Jesus in my life. I know that He is, to some degree...but I guess I don't want to go any further with Him then where I am right now. All of this is very new, and to be honest a little overwhelming."

*Side Note... the whole time we're talking his body language totally changes... his eyes light up and he leaned into really read the booklet and engage with the information I was giving him. When I shared the bible verses with him... you could tell he was eating them up. I had a chance to share my testimony with him... and he asked me questions about it. .. I could almost sense his Soul crying out as we were talking...*

Me: "... are you interested in meeting up with someone to talk more about beginning a relationship with God... we have bible studies that we offer on campus."

Calvin: "To be honest.. this whole thing is still kind of overwhelming for me. Because my family never talked about it while I was growing up, for me to talk about it is still awkward for me. I know that I want God in my life. I know that He loves me. I know that I need Jesus. But I am still trying to figure out what the next step. I just need to process this on my own a little more before I start meeting with other Christians."

Me: "Okay... for sure. I totally understand. If you're interested in ever meeting up with anyone, feel free to look us up on facebook."

Calvin:"I will definitely!" (Walks away with a Frosh Kit in hand)

This is why I am working full time on the campus...this is why I'm not working in a church...or just focusing on discipling Christian university students... (although I think those ministries are so important!) I am here because I want to win the lost. I am here for the lost. God has placed me on campus to bring the Gospel to the lost. I know that there are students out there like Calvin... that are confused and not sure where to go or what to do about it...

"There was never really anyone that was close to me that talked to me about Jesus....!"

When he said this, I felt my heart wrench.

Please pray for "Calvin"... and the other students like him.