Here on a work visa/ and that's how I became the prince of a town called Bel-Air

For what I'm about to write, I must give credit where credit is due: our speaker at Fall Conference.

Exodus tells the story of our freedom in Christ. We're no longer enslaved by our sin. Freedom is a compelling story; so is what we do with that freedom we never deserved in the first place.

People leave their own countries and go to others for many reasons, so there are many visas to fit those reasons. Some travel with a tourist visa, intending to visit a place for a few weeks and then head home. Some travel with a student visa, intending to learn and gain some knowledge and then head home. Still others travel with a work visa, wanting to serve their new country with their knowledge and ability.

Freedom in Christ isn't a tourist visa; it isn't a license to do anything we want. Freedom in Christ isn't a student visa; it isn't a culture we take from and learn from. Freedom in Christ is a work visa. We show up, armed with the Word, to change the world, to serve the world, to love with our arms outstretched.

Big orders. But then again, we have a big God.

***

There are many things I'll miss once I graduate from college. Thing #1: Sing-a-longs.

This weekend, at Fall Conference, I joined some of my best friends in the Fresh Prince theme song, Under the Sea, Wonderwall, Don't Stop Believing, Iris, I'm Yours, MMMBop (no consensus on the actual words), the Brady Bunch theme song, Summer Nights, songs from Rent, about 12 Backstreet Boys songs . . . the list goes on.

I can't remember all the words. I can't remember all the songs. But I remember the people I sang them with. This is the kind of stuff I'll miss next year.