Gotta Praise

Well, as I've confessed before, I love more than anything to talk about the Lord. For me, to talk about God and eat dessert is bliss! I think that's why I enjoy care group so much! God just amazes me with His constant touch in our lives...well, that is if we allow it. My reality is the more I ask to see Him at work, the more He reveals His hand to me. Oh, I bet some would think me mad, if they saw me dance and praise my King when a reality hits me. Fortunately, I don't care. I just have to praise the LORD!

I have a funny story to tell that ties into today's devotional. Oswald says; "Everyone who is saved is called to testify to the fact of his salvation." The question is not; "Do I testify", but rather, "To whom do I testify?".

Going back to school was a Mount Everest to me. I was not comfortable in a school environment my first time around. Peer issues made school a daily nightmare. Yet, I have always enjoyed learning, study, and stretching my brain. Naturally, I was anxious about leaving my Christian bubble of the past twenty years and venturing out into a mixed society of college life. My first college experience was extremely brief and centered around rushing the "hottest" sorority on campus. Being a co-ed in my teens was certainly a life span away from where I am today. How would I relate to my younger, non-believing peers? What would we talk about? You see, I rarely have conversations where Jesus isn't mentioned. I know many of you can relate to this.

So my first class is a two week, winter session, cram course on history. I have always been drawn to history and therefore was excited about my first class on campus. A social person by nature, I set out to introduce myself to the students around me. Surprisingly, they warmly accepted me. I felt I was off to a good start. During several breaks we engaged in getting more acquainted. Questions about family, work and interests were asked round the group. When it came my turn to respond, I of course, made mention of my family, work at church and interests in church activities. Therefore, by the end of the day, my Christianity was known and I felt good. Interestingly, the young man sitting behind me, was Jewish. Before the two weeks were over, daily questions about God and faith and worship had been addressed by many of us. Other students joined our conversations and soon a more than a dozen of us were bantering about religious matters. Unfortunately, some of my answers were difficult to say as well as hear. While I felt I was honest and shared God's truth in love...I was sorry to offend some of my peers.

The spring semester brought with it new classes. New peer groups and for me new challenges on how to shine in the midst of darkness. Of course I felt certain I was where the Lord wanted me and trusted the circle of influence God had placed me in. Still, I was feeling the need to be cautious with these new groups. I did not want to offend people with my faith as before. I determined that I could witness the Lord's Spirit, without necessarily proclaiming so readily as I had before, my passion for the Lord. Yeah...God had other plans.

My first English professor has remained my favorite: in most part because she is so ALIVE! Her nature is to be real and honest and helpful. Sadly this is not always the case with professors. This inspiring woman truly enjoys teaching and desires to enrich the learning experience for her students. One way she does this is by getting to know them. Students are people to her, not merely class occupants.

Our first day in class was spent sharing about ourselves. While the standard bio information was requested of us, she added to the mix, "share a secret about yourself...something others wouldn't know by looking at you." This of course brought great fun to our introductions as the class surprisingly one by one disclosed some pretty personal things. One older student, like myself, shared she had been a professional female football player. I thought that was cool. I didn't know there was such an occupation. Another student shared she was a guitarist in a punk rock band. If you saw this sweet looking thing, your mouth would have dropped open like mine.

Of course there were some confessions that were less fascinating, even a few that were shocking like: the guy who confessed his passion for marijuana, followed by the guy who said he grew marijuana. These admissions were only outdone by the older gentlemen in the corner who sternly shared he was a cop! Ahhh, I still laugh when I recall the look on those boy's faces. The policeman ended up dropping the class. I wonder if it was due to a conflict of interest.

I bet you can guess what I confessed. I was one of the last to share about myself. With every student's turn, I found my heart beating faster and faster. My palms were sweating and I could hear my own voice coaching me on what I should say. "Don't announce you're a Christian in THIS group. Don't set yourself up like that. Don't...don't... DON'T!" My professor turned her attention to me as did the class. The spotlight was uncomfortable...you know the feeling...right? Nonetheless, I followed the ranks.

"My name is Tracy Frazier, I'm happily married to a wonderful man, have two awesome adult step sons, a precious nine year old son, I'm a new grandma, English major, blah, blah, blah. Then, before I knew what I was saying these words leaped from my mouth...with surprising enthusiasm: "My confession is that I am a "FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST" and I am really excited about that!"

(Cricket, cricket)

My professor just stared at me for a moment. I believe at that moment she and the others thought I was an idiot. I can say that now, because by the end of that class, she and I had become friends.

So much for keeping a lid on my faith. I was not only exposed...I had a neon light with an arrow pointing over me that said "Jesus Freak!" I look back on that moment...crystal clear...and I laugh. Who am I to think I could conceal Almighty God! He is more than a Deity I worship. God is who I am. To take any step to veil the Spirit alive in me...well, Oswald addresses this clearly:

"Woe be to the soul who tries to head in any other direction once that call has come to him."

He goes on to say; "The Bible Training College exists so that each of you may know whether or not God has a man or woman here who truly cares about proclaiming His gospel and to see if God grips you for this purpose. Beware of competing calls once the call of God grips you."

While getting my education is the focus of my attending college, I cannot deny God's call to be an evangelist on campus. There is reason for my openness about the love and mercy of Jesus. Above all else, children of God are called to proclaim the truth and God's message of salvation. Through school, I have been blessed with opportunity to heed the promptings of the Spirit and tell others about redemption.

Getting beyond my safe, holy bubble is like a kingdom promotion. My job is to tell the story. Yes, my responsibilities include witnessing through my actions. However, I have found that if I am willing and ready to share the gospel at a moments notice, God will bring others to me.

Like my spontaneous praise, we will find ourselves boasting Christ to others.

I could tell several stories of divine moments on campus. Surely, God has planted me for the time being on an academic mission field. The harvest is indeed ripe! Exams in English, Math, History, and the likes are obviously core to my experience. Yet, the Lord has presented numerous lessons for me on campus. One in particular is the test of my willingness to praise His name.

I am happy to report that in this subject, I most certainly have an "A".