2. Afraid

On a frosty January morning I walked into a secular psychology class that would change my life. I was here not because I wanted to take the class, but because my mom wisely reminded me that if I wanted to graduate with a degree I needed to take more than drama and music classes.

I had also determined to be more intentional about sharing my faith. The first day of class would put me to the test.

The professor had us put our desks in a circle.
Lovely. First rule of anonymity broken right off the bat.
 
We introduced ourselves by name and what we did for a living.
Okay, I can handle that.
 
I noticed a guy across from me whose name escaped me but his vocation didn’t. He was a youth pastor at a Lutheran church.
Hm. Cute guy. Probably not saved.
 
Be careful what you promise to the Lord for He will always put them to the test.
Our professor then asked two open-ended questions and randomly pointed at individuals for a quick response.
Oh-boy. I’m playing with the big boys now…..
 
Question 1: People are basically ________?
Random pointing. Innocuous answers.

Then the cute Lutheran was selected. Loud and clear his reply echoed in the classroom, “Sinful.” A satisfied grin lighted up his face.

My eyes met his. I felt like Elijah finding that he was not alone against Ahab and crazy Jezebel.

The butterflies in my stomach settled down as I scrambled for a reply. But the prof had decided to change his inquiry.

“A basic need of people is ______?”

I felt empowered now to give an answer true to my heartfelt beliefs. I hate that I even thought of chickening out of my self-proclaimed challenge. Who would know?

GOD would know. I had to draw the line in the sand and stand for Jesus because He is worthy of my allegiance and love, not because I had found a friend who seemed to believe the way I did.

The finger pointed my way. As calmly as I could I pronounced my very non-politically correct response.

“Redemption,” I said simply.

The professor paused thoughtfully, looking first at me and then to the guy who had bolstered my courage. “You two should get together sometime.”

More on that later.

Hebrews 13:6 "...so that we confidently say, 'THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?'"

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