July 12, 2011 | College Mission Trips

Last Chance for Fall 2011 College Missions (Dear College Carl)

In Dear College Me,
four of us had so much to tell our college selves that it couldn’t be contained
in just one video. Here’s what Carl had
to tell himself:

“Don’t be that guy; don’t have that
extra drink.

“You’re probably not as cool as you
think are but you can be as good as you think you can be.”

William Bostwick is in Kenya and he’s discovering true freedom:

Freedom is being alive to Jesus, and dead to the flesh. And freedom is beautiful, it is a gift our Father desires us to have, it is a gift Jesus was willing to die for, and it is a gift Holy Spirit wants to lead us in every day. The cost to beautiful freedom is dying to the flesh. Taking up our cross daily. Following the voice of the Lord no matter how loud our circumstances are screaming at us. That is freedom, and that is why Christ set us free.

Cody Klein‘s leaving this fall and was set free at our most recent training camp:

I was a little uncomfortable in this room of dancing strangers, but it still felt right. Then God began to work. My heart started to really receive this worship and God’s presence in the room. My voice gradually got louder and my body slowly getting looser. Within minutes I was lost.

I do not mean I did not know where I was. I am saying I did not know who I was. I began asking questions like: “Why are my hands up? Why am I dancing like a crazy person? Why am I singing so passionately in a room of complete strangers?” In my bewilderment and awe, I answered myself with a smile; that is all I could do! I began to think of David from the Bible, and how he danced for God.

The reality check that Carl is issuing is this (and that Will & Cody are getting):
the popularity contest is imaginary.

God’s thoughts of you and his passion for
the world outweigh your reputation and others’ opinions of you. His thoughts
are not your thoughts, his ways are not your ways (Isaiah 55:8); his purposes
for you make your own plans look downright puny and pitiful — and that’s a good thing (Isaiah 55:5).

It’s your last chance to be a part of Real Life Fall 2011, a part of God’s work of redemption and renewal in the world. trips close this Friday, July 15; don’t miss it.