I’ve kept the same quote as my desktop background for over a year now. Every day, I open my laptop and see it. Before I start a new Word doc, check my emails, review a class assignment or stream an NBA game, it helps me have the right perspective. The quote says this: “Remember why you’re here.”
Amid college classes, assignments, friendships, fun, work and constant planning all while trying to navigate a global pandemic, it’s easy to forget why I’m here. It’s easy to get caught up in lesser callings.
God didn’t send me to UNC Wilmington to earn a bachelor’s degree. He sent me to share the good news of Jesus Christ with a confused, hurt and dying world.
Sharing the Gospel with Aaron
Two semesters ago, I had the opportunity to share the gospel with one of my apartment-mates (I’ll call him Aaron). Aaron was a homosexual African-American guy, and he led a life characterized by anger and sin. As I looked for ways to minister to him, I kept thinking of Jesus’s response to the criticism He faced for hanging out with tax collectors and sinners:
“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
– Mark 2:17
One night, Aaron had a panic attack and was sobbing uncontrollably. I remembered why God sent me to UNC Wilmington and sat on the floor with him for most of the night. A few days later, he planned to commit suicide, but I learned about it and took him to the hospital. After he got back to the apartment, I remembered why I was there—we talked about my own struggles, my faith and the hope God offers through Christ. That Sunday, Aaron went with me to church.
Aaron didn’t give his life to the Lord right then and there. But God doesn’t call us to save anyone—that’s His job. He calls us to “go into all the world and proclaim the gospel” (Mark 16:15) without fear of not knowing what to say, fear of looking dumb, fear of making relationships awkward.
Sharing the Gospel with Connor
Another one of my apartment-mates (I’ll call him Connor) had a tough time all last semester. Relational turmoil, academic struggles, severe health issues, multiple addictions—he felt comfortable talking to me about it. I did a lot of listening and usually offered advice at the end.
“How are you so wise?” Connor asked me once. “It’s like you’ve already lived this life.”
So I told him I pay attention to a lot of people who are older and far wiser than me.
“But honestly,” I added, “it comes from the Bible. That’s where I go for advice, and that’s where all my older, wiser friends find wisdom. The Bible is a guidebook for life, and it covers just about everything.”
That caught Connor’s attention and sparked a long list of questions about the Bible. So we discussed it for five hours straight. We talked about who wrote the Bible, how it’s organized, the types of literature it contains and how to read each book. We talked about the creation story and how it stands up against evolution, the bizarreness and purpose of the Old Testament laws and sacrifices, free will versus predestination, sin, justice, grace, salvation, sanctification, death, resurrection, heaven, church, and how the whole Bible points to Jesus.
Before I left for Christmas break, Connor said he was going to “look into this whole Christianity thing.”
Remember Why You’re Here
I can’t walk around campus without looking in the eyes of my fellow students and seeing all the pain, suffering, fear, confusion, sorrow and loss. I live among the dead. But I know the Author of Life, and I have a message of hope.
Every day, I remember why I’m here.
And that’s my challenge to you: remember why you’re here. Why did God put you in Mint Hill, Charlotte or wherever you are? Why do you work where you work? What’s your goal in school?
Don’t get distracted by lesser callings. See the hurt, confusion and hopelessness around you, and move toward it.
Remember why you’re here.
