It's been 2 days into orientation and the majority of the class of 150 go out drinking every night.
When I was in high school and in college, I didn't know how to really react to that. I had (and still have) 2 options: 1) Join them or 2) Don't join them. Before, it was a question of legality and following the law. When I was in high school and college, my faith and spiritual walk was not at the point where I could boldly declare my reasons for being different and yet also come across as non-judgmental and loving. Therefore, I chose option #2 which isolated myself more and more from the non-Christian community. The community of which I was a part every single day when I went back to my dorm room freshman year. It just took one year to do the isolating too. For the rest of the year, I didn't really have much of a problem because I ended up living with Christians for the rest of my 3 years at college. I don't regret the living decisions at all. That's not the point.
But this is my point: I am different now than I was in college.
I didn't really premeditate my reaction (which I really should have thought of) until I was faced with the choice for the past 2 nights. So for the past 2 nights, I have politely refused the invitations (it was my first instinct...stay away from the party scene). However, it's not a question of legality anymore and I also know my limits (but that's not the main factor to my decision). I don't want to isolate myself from my classmates. I don't want to be "that" girl who thinks she's too good for the rest of them. Jesus ate and drank with the sinners, the tax collectors, the prostitutes. I will accept my classmates for who they are and I will meet them where they are...if I consistently refuse, then, to them, I am rejecting them as people. The Church of Christ is wherever I am for the Holy Spirit will be with me. I will bring church to them. I don't care if I'm the designated driver every single time and I'm the only sober one there. I don't care if I get puked on or harrassed or smell like smoke. Whatever happens, I will be there when they need me. Though every fiber of my being yearns to do things that I consider clean fun...God will not allow me to be that way anymore. It is time for such a challenge and I am ready. I want to show them that I can love, not just in a church setting...in a clean Christian setting, but I can love in the broken places as well...I can show God's love in a club where 50 people are drinking and I can show love at a fraternity party...
I will explain my refusal to get drunk with my actions...no more words...I need something tangible that they can see and understand...
I am ready, God. Send me.
"Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves." - Luke 10:3
If that's what it takes to transform this med school's spiritual climate, this city's spiritual climate, then so be it.
I completely understand what you mean! It's definitely a new challenge that God can call you to after a season of growth. It's a hard balance, because while you need to 'break bread' with non-believers and still maintain your convictions, your not partaking in certain activities will often be viewed as judgment (even if it's not)! But it's a battle worth fighting surely... you are not a shaded light, my friend :) God bless!!
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