Can't ever go back

It will never be the same. Something today triggered a thought in my mind that things will never quite be the same as it was years ago. I suppose I was taking a stroll down memory lane, thinking about times in both high school and college. 

High school was certainly great. I have a lot of fun memories, great friends, and no regrets. I guess its when I'm sitting down face to face with a freshman (in college) who has just let go of the high school life that I get to thinking of how great things were. The low responsibilities I had, constant hang out time, sports, friends around all the time, there was just so much to enjoy. Then coming to college I had no idea how much things were going to change and the influence I was about to take on...

College was a whole new world. A new place, culture, friends group, state, everything really. I was about to experience a huge life change and realize that as a student, I had a huge opportunity to influence other students.

See, I work in college ministry. Its great and I love what I do. But even being two years removed, I don't nearly have the influence I had as a college student. You just have the "in" when you are their peers. Thats what I want the girls I'm working with to see. Its so easy for them to list all the things they are involved with, classes, their sorority, sports, clubs, sga, and the list goes on, and then if there is extra time they are willing to invest in God and others. It should be the complete opposite. Really, they have the opportunity to invest in people through those avenues but students also need to be invested in and need training. They are cutting themselves short when they think they can come every few weeks to a weekly meeting and have an influence for God.

It breaks my heart to think of the fact that they are still in college, walking with God, and won't use this opportunity to invest in other's lives. I can't make them or force them to do anything...I just wish I could share with them how valuable, and short, this time is. 

Never again will I have that incredible influence on college students. Sure, I can influence them, but its different. My best shot is to influence the influencers. And hopefully they will see that its well worth it to spend their time investing in eternal things. At the end of the day, if Jesus comes back tonight, its what will last. Three things last forever. God, his Word, and the souls of men. I would love to see people investing in those things as their priority.