Student Blog Written By: Riley Costello, Fellows
God changed my view of the meaning of life.
Previously, I had believed that success was the American dream. I imagined a beautiful wife and kids, a big truck, a nice house on a couple acres, and a solid tithe to my church.
However, serving in South Africa changed my perspective completely.
Being in places of immense material poverty made me rethink the stewardship of my resources. How could I have been so selfish? Kids are starving as they walk through townships covered in trash. Adults are living in one-room shacks built on top of landfills.
Through what would have caused most people to despair, I saw the people of God remain strong. I witnessed countless Christian South Africans display unprecedented joy in the midst of their circumstances. I watched children and widows say their only hope in life is God. Being in these environments made me rethink my priorities.
I thought back to life back home, where my biggest inconvenience would be their biggest blessing. Where the things I take for granted would change their lives.
Through all of this joy found in the hurt, I got to see something just as amazing. I got to see Living Hope, our partner in South Africa, be the hands and feet of Jesus. They would not just throw money at problems, but they would be in the community and address the root problems. They target the younger generations for biblical discipleship. They spread the gospel through their healthcare. They love their communities in the midst of their hurt.
God used this to teach me that the purpose of life is not for material, American-dream levels of success. It is to be obedient to God in the pursuit of making disciples. To talk and relate to those who are shunned. To care for the sick. To visit the widows and orphans. To help create cultural change in the younger generations to raise up a new populace. To seek first the Kingdom, and his righteousness, and the rest will follow. Our three weeks serving with Living Hope entailed all of those things, and I had such a fulfillment that only comes from the Lord.
The Lord instilled in me a new meaning in life: to seek first His Kingdom and its righteousness.
We believe that when a student is rooted in truth, they become a catalyst for the Kingdom wherever they go. Help us continue to forge disciples who possess the resolve to stay faithful and the tools to make disciples. Your investment in the Multiply Fund makes this transformation possible.