Winter break often confronts each of us as believers with a scary reality. A reality filled with the habits and patterns of life which defined us before we placed our trust in Christ. In addition to being confronted with this reality, we are suddenly starved of quality Christian fellowship which we enjoy in some way throughout the semester. Understanding this reality then begs the question: what can we do to continue to grow in our relationship with the Lord over break?
I believe that there are three things which are imperative we do if we are going to continue to grow over winter break. The first thing that we must do is understand the reality we are faced with. We can’t go through break believing as Christians we are free from the temptations that plagued us in our past at home. The devil isn’t threatened by luke-warm Christians, but the same can’t be said for those impacting lost college students for Christ. The devil desires to see us as students fall back into old sin habits and patterns. Please acknowledge the reality which faces you and be ready to stand strong!!
The second principle we must embrace is to get into the Word of God and communicate with Him on a daily basis!! John 15:4 says “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me” What better way to remain in Christ than to be constantly reading His inspired Word. Yet more than simply reading the words on the page let each of them saturate your being and encourage you over break.
Finally, acknowledge and use the power of the Holy Spirit which we have been given. It is a choice we must make moment by moment to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. The spiritual buzz from last semester or even TCX eventually wears off. It is through choosing to live in the power of the Holy Spirit that we stand strong and grow in our relationship with Christ this break. You must recognize that you are going to be confronted with this choice. When the sinful patterns and habits seem so appealing this break what will you choose?
The truth is that you can take what was discussed above and do nothing with it; however, I would like to close by challenging each of you to embrace these three practical principles. Our effectiveness to reach lost college students this upcoming semester depends on it. We need to start this upcoming semester filled with the Holy Spirit and plugged into God’s Word so that we can be the hands and feet of Christ in Stevens Point and Central Wisconsin.
Until the Whole World Hears,
Robert Scot Dykstra