Hey there from Anderson! I've got some free time so I thought I'd drop a line.
It seems like everyone on campus is getting sick or some kind of virus, and I've gotten it as well. There's nothin better than feeling snot slowly drip out of your nose in Econ with no tissue on hand to mop it up. But I'm getting better which is nice, cause rush starts this week, and I'm really excited for where Dux can go this year!

As some of you know, I went up to Otsego the other night and spoke at Invasion, a youth service. The topic I talked on was Pain. And as I prepared for it, I started to realize that despite what I was writing down to talk about, pain is really a complicated theological reality in Christianity. Here's what I wrote/talked about:
It always rains...
Why is it that we run from pain, that we dislike it? Is it because of the hurt that we feel and experience in the moment? Or because we are so caught up in our lives and our reality, that we see nothing else beyond it, no possible workings of God in our situation?
Sometimes, that is the only way God has available to talk to us. C.S. Lewis wrote in his book The Problem of Pain, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains. It's his megaphone to rouse a deaf world." While this quote is talking about the pain we experience from our sinful ways, I think it also holds true to normal people who experience pain, seemingly for no reason. God is trying to speak to us.
God also allows pain to happen to us. Now, initially, that seems cold of God to allow pain to happen us just to get our attention, doesn't it? But there is a purpose there. And you'll see that only if you study the Scripture carefully. Read the book of Job. God allows Job to be tested and experience pain. He loses everything, but gains everything in the end. Pain without purpose is cold. But while God may allow us to experience pain, we aren't left there. He comforts us.
You see, pain is one of these strange dichotomies in the Christian faith. Christians acknowledge pain as a part of life, but do anything to avoid it, and with all the advances in technology and medicine, this is possible. But pain is a reality we must face as Christians, not run from it. "You can't be my disciple if you don't carry your cross and follow me." Luke 14:27
Think this is a harsh reading, or a misinterpretation? Look at the life and death of Peter. The man follows Christ and is the Rock of the Church. How does it end for him? Crucifixion upside down. Pain shapes us into the kind of disciples God wants. Otherwise, would pain have any other purpose? And suppose pain was taken out of the picture? Guess what that means. Christianity doesn't exist. Jesus isn't crucified, Stephen isn't stoned, Paul isn't converted...you get the picture.
I cannot believe that a God that allows these painful and terrible things to happen doesn't have some purpose in it.
What is it in your life? If you're hurting or not sure why things are going the way they are, remember: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matt. 11:28-29.
This isn't all to be explored when it comes to pain, but I'm sure you realize the complexity that is involved when you look at pain objectively and how it plays into your life, and God's will.

Also, school's goin great, likin my classes, especially German and Human Sexuality. Both great teachers. I don't have a job yet, but I'm hopeful because sometimes it takes about a week or two to see some turnaround. That's about it. I hope ya'll are doin well.

P.S. Send money. Peace.