By Sophie Tucker
With each and every new school season comes feelings of anxiousness and excitement. I always find myself excited to see how much I will grow and learn over the coming year. Along with each school year also comes a unique opportunity to form relationships with your classmates. You see the same people every day, and are usually able to bond with them over your similar feelings of stress (am I right?). We have been talking a lot recently about how to live a missional, day-to-day life. Doing so means that we intentionally go out of our way to create disciples, or “followers of Jesus”.
I have found that within today’s Christian culture some people have the opinion that we, as Christians, should not be seen hanging around any “non-believers”. When I hear thoughts such as this, I cannot help but think of what Jesus said in Matthew 28 to His disciples before ascending into heaven: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you” (verses 19-20, NIV). Wow. Those were some of the last words that Jesus said to his disciples, so obviously they are very important! How are we to make disciples of those around us, without establishing a relationship with them? Without showing them the love of Jesus?
I can honestly say that this last school year has been the most stressful season of life that I have encountered thus far. Nursing school definitely took an emotional toll on me, as well as the rest of my cohort. Because I had previously become friends with my other classmates, I was able to come alongside them during these stressful times, encourage them and pray for them. I’m not the most social person when it comes to those I am not close to, but I tried to be intentional in my conversation with my classmates, and make sure that I was using the time that the Lord had given me with these people!
It can be hard to know where to start with your peers at work or at school, but I encourage you to just befriend them– show them Jesus through your words, actions and attitude towards those around you. I want to make the most of this school year, and be intentional in my everyday life in order to further the kingdom of God!
Grace Enough 