"...and then it just HAPPENED!"

Katie and I sat in the unseasonably warm February sun. The usual Thursday bustle of campus life went on around us, with the occasional wave or greeting by passing students. I always enjoy meeting students where I feel like a part of campus life. It helps me remember that I'm here for all of them... not just the ones who are already involved in Intervarsity.

"I know I'm supposed to be sharing the Gospel with my friends and I really do want to... but I say I'm going to do it, then life gets in the way. And what does it actually look like? Everyone says we're supposed to do it but nobody says how!" explained Katie.

Katie is a vibrant senior who truly loves life. She's the kind of person you'd jump off a cliff with because it would be a party the whole way down. Her smile is contagious and she seems to know everyone on campus.

"Draw a circle and write your name in the middle" I said.
Katie looked at me with a puzzled look then obliged me.
"Now draw five pedals around the circle... make it a flower." I continued. "Write the names of five of your friends, one in each pedal."
It didn't take long for Katie to come up with a list of five and complete the "flower". When she finished she looked at me with a puzzled grin.
"Tell me about Adam." I said, glancing at the names she wrote.
She told me a bit about how they met and general information about Adam.
"Now tell me about Adam's spiritual story," I pressed.
Katie looked at me. "I don't really know much. I know he grew up in church but I don't really know anything else."

"That's your challenge for this week," I said with a grin. "To find out Adam's story. His growing up years, what he thinks now, what questions he has... anything. You've built trust with him in your friendship. Now learn about his spiritual life."
"But spiritual conversations are scary!" Katie said with a smirk, knowing I wouldn't let her off the hook.
"I'm going to ask you how it's coming along next week." I said... returning the smirk. "I hope I get to hear all about Adam's thoughts on spirituality."
We prayed together for an opportunity for Katie to hear Adam's story then she dashed off to work.
On Sunday evening my phone rang. I was surprised to see Katie's name. (I have a general "don't call unless someone is physically or spiritually at risk" policy for Sundays to promote patterns of sabbath rest for myself and my students). I answered and Katie practically jumped through the phone, "I know it's Sunday and I'm really sorry to interrupt but I was so excited that I just had to tell you that I did it! I had a conversation with Adam and I am so excited to tell you about it on Thursday!"

When Thursday rolled around Katie bounced into the Student Union, grinning her contagious, quirky grin. She slid into the booth and began telling her story:

"After our meeting last week I was really worried, trying to plan when I would have the conversation with Adam. I was trying to orchestrate the event and was really worried about the whole thing. So I planned to do it later this week, but on Saturday we were hanging out and then it just HAPPENED! It came up naturally when he made a comment or asked a question. Normally I would have just kept on going, but I took the opportunity to ask about his story and he told me!"

Katie shared about Adam, how he grew up in a very strict, "rules-based" Christian house where spirituality was all about being good and not about a relationship with the Lord. This had turned him away from organized religion and left him with too many doubts and questions. She relayed his skepticism about Jesus being God and his belief that the Bible is great literature but not the divinely inspired Word of God.

"And what did you learn about trusting God in the whole situation?" I asked with a grin.
Katie had a twinkle in her eye when she met my gaze and answered, "I was so worried when you challenged me to do this. I felt like I had to orchestrate this whole spiritual conversation. I took matters into my own hands and tried to arrange circumstances. But before I could do that, we were hanging out on Saturday... and then it just happened! It came up really naturally and I realized it was because I had prayed that God would just make it happen. And He DID! I tried really hard to take control of the whole thing and just make it happen on my terms, but when I let go and trusted God to orchestrate it then took a step of faith when the door was opened, it happened totally naturally. It wasn't weird at all and we know way more about each other now!"

We had a great dialogue about why it is important to build trust and know someone's story. I affirmed her decision to not respond to his assertions about the Bible or the deity of Christ in this initial conversation, which resulted in Adam asking Katie what she believed later in the conversation.

"This is just the beginning of your journey with Adam!" I encouraged. "God is at work in his life, and He has given you a role to play, Katie! That's really exciting!"
We prayed for Adam and for wisdom for Katie, then she bounced off to work again.

I find so much joy in helping students interpret "God moments" like this--helping them see where God is already at work in their lives and in the lives of their friends, then equipping and challenging them to be available to be a part of the process.