Invited Home
During my sophomore year of college, I knew God wanted me to tell my sorority sisters about Jesus, but I wanted to lead a small group of freshmen. To lead a bible study with my sorority sisters felt risky, but the freshmen study felt Godly. The freshmen ministry was established. Women signed up for that. It was safe.
Yet, Jesus said, “Go to your sisters.”
The summer after my junior year, I was arguing with God about being called into full-time ministry. I asked, "Do I have to do ministry with fraternity and sorority students?"
Jesus is Not Your BFF
I am a best friend gal. I love my best friends—my tribe of women! One of the many reasons I loved being in a sorority and on sports teams is that they gave me more time to hang out with my best friends. (And yes, I have plural best friends.)
For me, being a best friend means I will always have your back and I will love you no matter what. I will be there for you through anything, even if that means picking you up at a random dumpster after a night full of regrets. And my friends would do the same for me. My best friends inspire me, encourage me, challenge me, and make me a better person. I feel like I can tell them anything. To me, being best friends is the best!
But Jesus is not my best friend.
Invited To Follow
As a southern woman, I was taught the art of perfection. I was groomed to be polished – defined by acting with grace and being well mannered. The fear of changing the status quo was communicated by the celebration of history. Southern men were asked to protect the image of our culture. Southerner's value family, faith and patriotism. We worship a romanticized past. All of this creates a perfect picture. The picture is painted with various landscapes. The core of the picture is an idealized view of how we perceive ourselves.