Grad school or ministry ground?

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. John 15:16 (NIV).

Fall semester is here!

This season is usually the time when new and returning students flock to their respective schools. Orientation, settling-in arrangements, course registration, and completing loads of paperwork seem to be the order of the day in most schools. Don’t ask a returning grad student 😏. The reluctance to leave behind the fun and sunny summer days is obvious… but it is quite different for the new guys. The atmosphere is filled with excitement, and students are all set for a new experience.

For an incoming international student, it’s a bit more layered. A mixture of being and what could be fills their thoughts. It is a whole new world, a new chance at life, an opportunity to do something. This is it!

Life presents itself as a new canvas on which you can draw anything. Feelings of homesickness may underlie all your excitement, but you are ready for this new phase. One of the motivations for starting graduate school is the desire to gain in-depth knowledge in a particular field. For many, there is also the anticipation of beginning their research and working on their thesis.

Amidst all this, today, how about we ponder something else?

Could this be a calling from God? Is this (Grad) school a ministry ground?

On my one-way flight to start grad school some years back, I remember having a conversation with a woman that got me thinking… “What am I here for?”

From our little chit-chat, I think we spoke about a broad range of topics, including climate change, being a foreigner, and school. Out of admiration, she said my parents must be so proud of me for taking this step and that I must be on to something for leaving my home country to study all the way over here. I really can’t remember her exact words; it was a long time ago. She was so kind and very encouraging, but some of her statements became something for me to ponder. Perhaps there is a new student with such riveting thoughts.

What am I here for, of course, besides obtaining a degree?

Prince Moses had lofty ambitions. He thought he could save his people from the palace, but God gave him a time-out away from his comfort zone to prepare him for the assignment. Brilliant Daniel made a difference in a foreign country after he purposed in his heart to do the Lord’s will. Beautiful Esther was given an assignment to save her people after going through a series of tests that put her faith and convictions on trial. Little David had no idea how the training he received as a shepherd boy would come in handy on the battlefield. Patriotic Nehemiah became a high-ranking official in a foreign land and still went back to his home country to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Could there be more to what you are about to start?

Listen to what your heart is saying, or even better, be obedient to what the Holy Spirit is saying to you.

Yes, the academic demands could be overwhelming, but let’s pray for grace so they don’t drown out the personal convictions that were already planted in our hearts back in our home countries. Answered prayers and open doors could be God’s way of drawing your attention to how He would like to use you differently. Ministry is not a stereotyped way of life. You do not need to preach from the pulpit, start a fellowship, or lead a Bible study. It may be in those little or big ways the Lord is leading you to reach another person or other people within your niche. Bearing fruits that glorifies God is ministry. Whether most of your days are spent mixing stuff in the lab or out in the field collecting samples and data, what matters is that you are a fruitful child of God. See, ambitions are good, and dreams come true, but doing God’s will lasts forever.

A productive semester to everyone!!

Special note: Would you give your life to Jesus Christ? He is the way, the truth and the life. If yes, please pray the prayers below:

Lord Jesus, thank you for your death and resurrection for the salvation of my soul. Please forgive all my sins. I choose you today to follow and to obey. May your love and the holy spirit lead and guide my purpose for your glory. Thank you, my Lord and savior. Amen!

Grace and blessings,

Olushola.