Last Extra Cross

So Jeff and I got to speak at the last Extra Cross of the semester, which was an honor. Jeff told a story about how the silver miners in Saxony drilled slowly but surely through sheer rock for hundreds of years, laying the financial groundwork that not only built a kingdom, but even funded the very university in Jena. He compared it to how he saw our work in Jena for the last few years. Slow and sure, building upon the previous work of others, and being built upon by those coming after us. He did a great job! That's Sven translating for him. (If you want the full story of why Jeff chose to speak about mining, be sure to check out the blog on Jeff's most special day.)Then I spoke about Passing The Test - that there's actually a final exam when we get to heaven, and there are only two questions on it. The first thing Jesus will ask is, "Did you know me?" and the second is "What did you do with what I gave you?" (Matt. 25)I focused on the second question and challenged the students to really think about what they were spending their life's resources on. How great would it be if this generation of university students committed to being wise stewards of all God has given them - their time, energy, money, educations, talents, abilities, personalities, etc and to spend those things in a way that allowed God to multiply their efforts? I spent a lot of time and prayer thinking about what would be my last words to the big group. Conny did a great job translating for me.
Then the group graciously prayed over us. It's hard for me to say how it went since I wasn't in the crowd listening to it, but it seems that it was a very good night.