SLA

God's worked in me a lot already this semester...

This year I have the joy and opportunity to serve as an SLA (Spiritual Life Advisor) here at Asbury. My hall is the absolute best, and don't even try to combat it. It's fact. The RA of my hall, Julia, is fantastic and we have already gathered such a sense of community- it's wonderful!

For most that know me though, you are probably thinking, what is she doing in this role??
Yes, I know.... I'm an Elementary Education major... Not super outgoing (well, maybe?)... Reserved... Quiet...
I suppose God just has a wonderful sense of humor!
Last year my SLA took me out to lunch and asked me if I would consider/pray about becoming an SLA. My immediate thought was, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME??" But slowly, God kept using other people to inspire me to really ponder doing it. Going out on a limb, I decided to apply. There were a few complications because I wanted to move over to the other girls dorm (which, by the way, is a million times better!), but God had His overarching plan through it all and I became the SLA of 3rd Glide, commonly known as, 3rd H3RD.

Over the summer many doubts came to my mind...

How would I connect with the girls on my hall?

I'm only a sophomore, so of course the upper classmen won't want anything to do with me.

I'm no where near as spiritual as some people that I know.

HOW AM I GOING TO DO THIS JOB?

This question was never fully answered, except for God continually reminding me that He is with me always and has my right hand, guiding me along.

Since being an SLA means a position of leadership on campus, I arrived back at Asbury a week before all of the other students. We had a time of getting to know one another and growing as SLA's. Which brought me to another worry because I knew NO ONE. None of my close friends are SLA's... I was coming in cold turkey, and I hated it. It was such good practice though to put myself out there and get to know people that I would not have originally known. Already I have made some wonderful friends, and it's such an encouragement to walk around campus and be able to say hi to people! It also gave me such a boost of confidence in that I know that I am capable of making new friends, so hopefully things on the hall would be easier!

Throughout this week of training there was so much time where we would be in harmony with God. Seeking His direction... Asking for His wisdom in our lives. It was incredible to be surrounded by 40 some people who were so earnestly seeking after Christ! God so clearly spoke to all of us. It was incredible.

I STILL know that there is no way I am worthy of this position. It is all God.

Colossians 2:2-3- "My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
This is my prayer for me as an SLA. I am praying that God will help me to be a godly example, full of uplifting and encouraging comments. Putting aside myself, so that they may see Christ and NOT ME. I want to lay aside my worries and doubts and distractions.

Colossians 2:6-7- "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
This is the hall verse that I have picked out for H3RD. I am praying that God gives me the strength to stay rooted in him and not let anything hinder my relationship with Him.

ALL of this comes down to the fact that I need Christ. There is no way on God's green earth that I would be able to do this job without Him. I mean, seriously... Leading 33 girls to follow and pursue Christ more than they did when they got here... That's one crazy job. But I KNOW that God is my source of strength, and with Him I can do ALL things.

The sense of community on the hall is slowly growing, as we become more comfortable with one another! Friendships are being made... Crazy things are occurring... God is going to continue to work in all of our lives to make this hall one fully following after Him- so much so that all of the other halls will be jealous ;)

Pray that God's light will shine through me to the girls on the hall. Pray that I will remember that I cannot do this on my own strength. Pray that Christ will be so evident on the whole campus of Asbury!

After all... It's nothing of my own accord that I am an SLA. It's ALL Christ!

These are just a few of the people that I had the privilege of getting to know over the weekend retreat the SLA's went on!