a push and a pull: Using His Power When I Have None

“HIM we proclaim… teaching everyone with all WISDOM, that we may present everyone MATURE in CHRIST.  For THIS I toil, struggling with all HIS energy that he POWERFULLY works WITHIN ME.”  -Colossians 1:28-29

The verse keeps popping up in my study, in my life, in my mind.   I met with another student today.  A staff member had concerns about her and asked me to check up on this student.  I hadn’t even met her yet, so creating a relationship out of thin air seemed daunting.  I found her in the hallway and introduced myself and asked her if we could talk later today.  She seemed nearly relieved, maybe because she wanted to talk… or maybe she wanted to get out of class. ;)  Either way, several hours later, she sat in my office, begging to receive help, yet pushing me away just as much. 

These are the moments when I love what I do.

The trust was definitely not built on anything. The walls in my office seemed unsafe.

Constant questions flooded my ears, “What do you know?” “Who are you going to tell?” “How did you know to come talk to me?”

The push and pull game only lasted so long before I said, “I’m not guessing anymore.  If you want help, you need to ask for it.  If you want to tell me what’s going on, you are going to have to say the words.” 

I prayed that my pushing wasn’t too much, and I prayed that where I was taking the conversation was the right path. 

Now that the first meeting is over, many more are to come, and I pray for the wisdom on when to push, when to stop, when to teach, when to listen… and forever it goes.  This is a challenge; it is something to be toiled over, something to be bathed in prayer.  Please pray alongside me, that I can use HIS strength to present this young woman as mature in Christ.