Gannon’s Campus Ministry team on Thursday held its first session of the Well, a monthly Christian worship service that features a variety of talks by people in the Gannon community.
As I sat in Room 219 of the Waldron Campus Center surrounded by other students, as well as Gannon faculty and staff, I was struck with a feeling of intense pride in my university.
As a person who desires to live out my faith in college, I am thankful that I attend a university that not only provides many opportunities for me to grow in my faith, but also encourages such growth.
This year’s theme for the Well is “The Promise,” and each speaker will reflect on one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, fortitude, piety and fear of the Lord.
The first session of the Well began with some praise and worship music, as each session does. I am always amazed by the palpable energy in the room during this part of the worship service.
After singing and a brief opening prayer, the first speaker of the year was introduced. Delray Davis, resident campus minister, presented the theme this year with a talk that centered on God’s promises to his people.
He mentioned that in all the uncertainty and unrest of the world, we are provided with the knowledge that God is still with us. God fully intends to keep all of the promises he has made to his people.
When the world seems like it is crashing down around us, we need only turn to God to find the good.
One point that Davis really tried to drive home in his introduction to this year’s theme is the idea that God will not abandon us when we are most in need.
He called attention to a Bible verse from the Gospel of John in which God simply says to his people, “I will not leave you comfortless.”
I think this is an important concept for college students to remember. While college is said to provide students with some of the best years of their lives, it also provides them with a fair share of stress.
In times of great stress, students need only to turn their hearts to find God’s promises to them. There is no struggle over which the love of God and a whole lot of perseverance cannot overcome.
I challenge you to remember this the next time you are stressed out about assignments, exams, club meetings and the millions of other activities college students have to juggle each day.
God will not leave you comfortless. When all else fails, turn your heart to him and he will accept your struggles with open arms.
The next session of the Well will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, in Waldron 219. Kyle Schumacher, co-director of the Kirk House, will be presenting.
I encourage anyone looking for ways to find God on campus to attend this event and the subsequent sessions throughout the rest of this academic year, and always remember, God “will not leave you comfortless.”
LYDIA FENNESSY
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