Student Blog Written By: Ben Anderson, Fellows
When I arrived at Impact, the biggest thing I was struggling with was why believers still faced so much doubt and distance from a God who wants to know them. Since that first week, I’ve learned important lessons on surrender, patience, trust, and humility.
One example of surrendering and trusting in God was actually on a plane coming back from Utah. I remember sitting next to a man on the plane and feeling the Holy Spirit prompting me to start talking to him. I was reluctant, but I did, and the Holy Spirit guided me through that conversation as we discussed truth, differences in worldviews, Jesus, and life experiences. This conversation was so powerful for me, as I got to pray for his sister-in-law, who was sick, and he was so appreciative of that. This conversation was nothing I could have done on my own, but only what God was able to do through me.
One moment that helped me shift closer to God was when I was asked to prepare a devotional that we were going to do the next day. I was very reluctant because I felt sort of at odds with God. I had struggled with the idea that, to other believers and me, it still seemed so hard to reach and communicate with God. I felt there was some answer I was looking for from God, and it was never answered. I told my discipler about this, and he told me that this issue was one that many believers faced. This made me angry, and I thought it further proved my point; however, my discipler also said that the reason why is that I was still placing my own expectations on God and, therefore, living in pride. I wanted God to do what I wanted and, therefore, was blind to what God was trying to teach me. I remember this conversation took so much pressure and relief off my shoulders, as well as revealed the sin of pride that I was still living in.
After Impact 360, I am heading to Union University, a small Christian College and I hope there will be lots of opportunities for me to get into ministry there. I think one of the first things I want to do there is find a good group of Godly men and start a bible study with them. I want to deepen a community of friends in the Word of God and live in a community that challenges each other to pursue the Lord wholeheartedly, in spiritual disciplines, evangelism, and discipleship. I also plan to get involved with my church community and hopefully help out, possibly in youth ministry there.
Thank you so much to everyone who prayed and supported me this year. It is by God’s grace and work through Impact that I have learned so much about how to love Him deeper, and in turn love others for the sake of Christ. My life is not my own, but Christ’s alone, and I will go out and use what I have learned here at Impact to further the Kingdom for God’s good and His glory. Your prayers and support have been so appreciated; I cannot thank you enough.
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.