Do what you’re good at for the glory of God, somewhere strategic for the mission of God.
By Caleb Barnes
May is always a bittersweet time in a college town and in the life of our church. Seniors graduate which means there is an excitement for the next season of life bringing new adventures and the unknown. However, it also brings many goodbyes, tears, and nostalgia.
A common phrase I have heard from graduating students at Watkinsville is “I love this church” “I’m going to miss this church” or “I’m so thankful for this church.” Like you, I have said and continue to say all of these things. This church has been such a blessing in my life and in the life of so many others. Every week we are told to open our Bibles, we pour over the Gospel, we sing songs that worship and glorify God, and we are challenged to fulfill the Great Commission. All of these things are vital for the local church. However, one of the greatest blessings Watkinsville has provided me and so many others is that we have been invited to participate.
As a non-native Athenian, attending Watkinsville has provided a home away from home and Watkinsville has shown me how to glorify God through my life. This phrase has become the slogan for the college ministry, “Do what you’re good at for the glory of God, somewhere strategic for the mission of God.” From freshman year to the end of my first full year in the workforce, this church has helped me discover my strengths and weaknesses, shown me how to use them for God’s glory, and they are now sending me somewhere strategic where I can use my strengths for the mission of God. Yes, this is my story, but it is also the story of hundreds of other college students who have attended our church. We have discovered our gifts and talents under the care, counsel, and leadership of Watkinsville’s staff and church body, and we are now being sent out to advance the kingdom of God.
As we go out and continue to say, “I love this church,” “I’m going to miss this church,” or “I’m so thankful for this church,” there is one way that we can add validity to these statements: Love for something leads to obedience. As followers of Christ, we are called to go and make disciples of all people. No matter what job or masters program we accept, we will encounter people everyday who need the hope that only Jesus can provide. If we truly love our church, and more importantly, if we truly love Jesus, we will do what He has commanded us - we will be faithful to the call given to every believer: make disciples. We will do what we are good at for the glory of God somewhere strategic for the mission of God.
While May is a sad time due to the goodbyes and leaving a place we love so much, it is also an exciting time - it is a time to take what we have learned under the leadership of the local church and put it to practice. Let us remember the words of Jesus, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Let us be laborers sent out from this church to proclaim the glory of the Living King! Let us love and show gratitude to Watkinsville FBC by following our mission statement: We glorify God by making wholehearted followers of Christ.