Faithfulness to Jesus

School is finished. Graduation is over. The halls are quiet. Classrooms are cleaned out. Teachers and students have scattered throughout the world. My daily trek to the office is changed, knowing few--if any--others will be in. The silence provides space for reflection.

Another school year has come and gone and I'm left wondering what was accomplished. How were any or all of us changed? Was Christ glorified by the students and staff of BCA? Did we live out our theme: "Following Jesus--in word, deed, attitude, thought, and suffering"? Or, did we merely mark time--passing through 180 days to get to summer?

I'm certain it was some of both. The long gray days of January, February, and March necessitate perseverance. And some days just have to be slogged through--literally and physically. Sometimes the discipline of getting through the day is all there is. Trudging through winter, with the hope of coming spring. I think God understands. He honors our desire to be faithful--when it seems like that's all (and not even much) that we have to give. And, by His grace He keeps us on the path when the days are dark, the way is shadowy, and strength ebbs low.

But His hand is too evident in this place to think that all we did was pass time. He's clearly blessing our feeble efforts to glorify His name in Bucharest. Kids turn to Christ, adults are reconciled in relationship, families seek Him, people from various denominations work with and for each other. Students persevere in prayer, others reach out to serve...when it would be much easier not to. All by the grace of God and the power of His Holy Spirit. He is bringing glory to Himself in this place...and amazingly, He's using us in the process.

Another school year has ended. And none of us will ever be the same. We are different for having been in the company of one another--laughing, weeping, arguing, praying. Living. In community. Trying to follow Jesus....