When It Just So Happens

 

 

 

 

     Fred Rodammer
     Information Systems
     Michigan State

 

 

 

 “What is the driving motivation for how I spend my time and energy? Am I a Christian who happens to be a professor – or a professor who happens to be a Christian?”

These were very personal, gut-wrenching questions that came in a My Ministry Minute by Rae Mellichamp last year. They forced me to do some inner soul searching.

In our weekly Christian faculty study group, Faculty Commons staffer Charlie Mack explained that Rae had recently written a short book that might help us in our journey to become better disciples for Jesus.   Thus began our review of his “Go Fast, Turn Left.”

The title is taken from stockcar racing – two simple instructions for winning. There’s more to winning a race, but you can’t win without those two. Rae’s book offers two instructions: 

1. Seek Jesus
2. Everything else. 

From this study I now understand what it is really like to be a Christian, a Christian who just so happens to be a college professor at a secular university.  My outlook or viewing lens changed in how I see people who cross my path at the university. 

A student recently came to my office to discuss her grades.  She was not only having a tough time with her classes, but she was also struggling with her college life. Many of her friends had already graduated.  School did not motivate her and she said that she felt empty.  

Why Didn’t I Know?

After listening to her, I asked her if she had a support group to help her.  When she said that she did not, I invited her to attend Real Life, the student Campus Crusade group. She went and was thrilled to be with fellow Christian students. Later her only complaint was “Why didn’t I know of this wonderful Christian opportunity earlier?”

Now when a student comes to my office to ask a question about my class, I try to remember to first pray for God’s Holy Spirit to give me the insights and the empathy to better understand the true reason God brought them to my office. Many times I find that students are searching, not only for answers to an exam, but also are searching for something meaningful in their lives.

Students Looking For Answers

I thank God for providing me with the courage to first listen, and then to dialogue with students who are feeling lost and looking for answers.     I am amazed at how the Holy Spirit truly guides these discussions to bring these searching students closer to our Lord Jesus.

You and I may never see the harvest from the seeds of life we plant in the lives of others. But as professors I hope that we never forget that it
our privilege to plant those seeds and to share Christ’s love with those students and colleagues who “just so happen” to cross our path. 

 

This MMM may be copied or forwarded for personal ministry purposes by including:
© 2008    Fred Rodammer
Used by Permission of Faculty Commons