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“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, may your ways be known on the earth, your salvation among all nations.” Psalms 67:1-2
The Psalmist says it well; we all are seeking God’s gracious blessings and we want others to know of God’s gifts in their own lives. How can God’s ways be known on the earth?
Paul gives us a great idea when he writes; “But just as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us – see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” (2 Corinthians 8:7). Yes, while you are at school excelling in many things, you can show others God’s grace in your life by being gracious and giving of your self. Even a college student with limited financial resources can be overflowing with generosity.
Give the gift of time:
When you volunteer, it is said that you get back just as much as you give. Try serving meals to the homeless, running errands for the disabled, or visiting a local nursing home. There are many names in your church bulletin every week listing people who might appreciate a visit or a phone call. Give them one. Receiving a hand-written note or a card through via snail mail shows your spirit of generosity in the simple fact that these forms of communication are becoming increasingly rare and therefore more special.
Give the gift of fellowship:
One summer, while I was still an undergrad, we had several friends decide they were tired of eating alone and eating bad food. So once a week we all met at one person’s apartment for dinner. Some of us could cook, others didn’t have a clue how to turn on a stove. Yet, we’d all chip in for groceries and those who could cook would make a real “meat and three” supper and those who couldn’t cook would clean up afterwards. We ate together around a table like a family and enjoyed each others’ company bringing a sense of balance and normalcy to a chaotic week at school. It would be easy to find a few friends who are in need of this kind of fellowship once a week or once a month. Sharing your family’s favorite meal with friends in your apartment complex or dorm is a great way to give of yourself and share in each others’ lives.
Give the gift of a happy home:
“A joyful heart is good medicine but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22). Have you ever had a roommate that complained about everything? Have you ever been guilty of being that roommate? Take a minute to promise yourself that you will not be that kind of person again! Talk to your roommate and agree with each other that you will find joy in your home-away-from-home. The Bible says, “A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad the spirit is broken.” (Proverbs 15:19). A joyful heart is indeed good medicine for your home, making it more of a haven, a retreat from the stress of classes, rather than some place you stay away from until you can just drop into bed without talking to anyone. A cheerful face is much nicer to live with than a broken spirit.
“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.” (I Thessalonians 3:12)
Lee Burdett is an alumnus of the Auburn Christian Student Center’s campus ministry (Auburn University), and the Meridian Woods church of Christ campus ministry (Florida State University) where she met her husband. They helped to establish a campus minister in Gainesville, FL with University City church of Christ. She lives in Altamonte Springs, FL, and enjoys her two children.
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