“I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” I looked and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest” -Revelation 6: 1-2
I felt so grateful for my notes as a reminder of Mike Taliferro’s sermon today, and the implication of our mantle scripture at ICMC West. We met for the last time this morning along with the San Diego Church of Christ to be reminded of the calling. Jesus is in the first half of this scripture; the one who opened the door. Although our faith hinges on Him , we are the ones given the horses, bows, and calling to ride out. After service I asked several disciples what this means for them.
For Mason Alfaro, a three-week-old disciple from Hawaii it has been a chance to prepare. He gained the ability to be tested and readied for what is ahead in college. For him the battle has been made real; he made a decision to engage in trying to help his family and friends. He told me, “They want to learn, I just need to be persistent.”
Brittany Busby from Missoula, Montana told me the conference this year was different from previous ones she had attended because of the focus on us as individuals getting out there and doing what needs to be done. “I have to fight through my fear and thoughts that I can’t make a difference” she said. These are things that she is determined to conquer through practice and better knowledge of her Bible.
Patrick Gutierrez from San Antonio is dead set on making prayer the fuel of his life and decisions. “I remember one of the lessons, and how they compared us to smart phones,” he told me, “we hold our own charge for only so long.” For him the conference has highlighted his need for reliance on God and other disciples, and the world’s need for evangelism.
The Spirit has set a pace. The messages of the conference have led us to keep in step with it. The final thing I prayed for tonight was action. I know that even the fiercest tides become stagnant when they sit too long at bay. If you did not attend the conference this weekend, I hope you can see what it was about and what it is to be a disciple in the campus ministry. To be here believing that God can do more, and to be convinced, that with our effort, He will.
Read articles from Day 1 and Day 2 here.
