As he was slogging through college applications and SAT exams last year, I told my son: “Work hard NOW, so that you can have a blast Senior semester. You can skip school every Friday and go skiing with your buddies. There’s prom and Senior retreat and all kinds of cool stuff to look forward to.” None of this proved true. Rona took it all down and he finished high school online, sitting alone at our kitchen table.
This week he’s moving into his dorm at Baylor University as a college freshman. Maybe you know kids who graduated from high school or college this year that are grappling with the unknown. Will there be in-person classes? How will anyone meetup? What job opportunities still exist in this economy? These are legit questions for sure. But here’s one to ask your student: how are you positioned to make this the greatest moment of your life?
The World War II generation still saves their jars, foil, bags, and rubber bands- the impact from rationing during the war. Students in 2020 have every right to carry anxiety and fear forever, but I believe God is doing a different thing. God is bringing radical change to this generation. Will students from 2020 be cynical or hopeless? Will they waver in fear and health concerns? Will they be non-committal and tentative in their ways? I believe not!
Students of 2020: God is for you. He is calling you out of worldly support systems into radical relationship with HIM. You will hear the voice of the Holy Spirit telling you where to go, who to talk to, how to minister. You are blessed going into this school year and you will be blessed coming out of it! You will see revival on your campuses unlike any that we have seen in our lifetime. Your peers are tired of the treadmill of fear, suspicion, hatred, and self-indulgence. They long for a pure life, a true existence, a cause greater than their own comfort or politics. They are hungry for the love and power of God! Kids, you will be marked by ridiculous generosity and favor. You won’t hold back your love for Jesus. You will walk in power and humility, bringing the kingdom of God in fresh ways.
You inspire us to run hard after God, pursuing the One who has long pursued us. We sing Kari Jobe’s and Cody Carnes’ “The Blessing” over you:
“The Lord bless you, and keep you: The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations” (Ephesians 3:20-21) College kids, you may think that this year will hold less, but God is about to release MORE on your campus. Let’s GO!
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Thanks for following my blog! Please share this with any college kids you know. College groups all over California are going through my book for their fall study. Get your copy or gift a copy of Gracious Living, creating a culture of honor, love and compassion at http://www.MargaretAllen.org