To my Thomson girls,
Radical circumstances. They call for radical responses. Although we didn’t expect this year’s events, God knew. And I believe He was preparing us for this.
Leadership team—you’ll remember. We brainstormed in our planning meeting, looking ahead to what we thought would be an exceptional fall 2024 semester. We were ready for the coming year. Thomson had a seasoned leadership team.
RAs—warm, welcoming, working together so well.
Core officers—bringing so many strengths in organization and motivation to benefit one another.
Officers—eager to serve, ready to lead.
All of you with a primary motivation—point people to Christ.
That’s where the theme came in. As you all spoke that one late night, bouncing concepts off one another, building ideas on one another, one clear conclusion rose to the top: Radical.
You didn’t want this to be an average semester. You wanted to challenge one another with this question: What would it look like to live radically for Christ?
You could have chosen something easy. We had plenty of good plans in place. Templates created. Events we could execute well, and initiatives we could continue. We’d done it before. It could have been a comfortable year. One where you knew what to expect, carried out plans well and simply made so many memories—together.
But you weren’t content to settle for only that. You wanted to truly live out radical faith in your Savior through everyday life at Thomson Hall at Clarks Summit University.
That was all B.C.
Before the Closure.
Before each of our worlds suddenly took a drastic turn.
Before our plans had a chance to be carried out.
Before our expectations were totaled.
Before our paths took different directions.
“Radical” is still our theme—because it’s our calling.
Even after the closing, you’re still Thomson girls. Nothing will ever change that.
More than that, you’re sisters, Christ-followers. That does not stop.
And we can look at a long line of Christ-followers. The stories that are recorded for us all have something in common: they lived radically—motivated by faith in a powerful God, even in the worst circumstances.
Daniel and lions.
David and giants.
Moses and the sea.
Joshua and the wall.
Noah was radical when he was the only one on earth to do it.
Esther was radical when she found herself in places she never even imagined.
Paul was radical to keep going through shipwrecks and snakebites and suffering.
Our Mabel and friends were radical to think they could start a university with a foundation of biblical truth.
Let’s be radical now.
It will be harder, because we won’t be doing it in the same place with everyday reminders hung on our walls, weekly dorm chapels to reiterate the word, and regular, in-person conversations in the lounge to see how we’re doing in living out this call.
But we will still be doing it together. Not in the places we chose, but in the places God called us to be.
God led us to be together in Thomson. Each of you has a story of how He brought you here, just like he led my family here. Our being together wasn’t a mistake or a detour—He led you here on purpose. And now He leads us out on purpose. It’s not a mistake or a detour. It’s His plan. And because it’s His, it’s good—even when it may not look like that on the surface.
So what does it look like now to live radically? Let’s choose.
Choose lament over despair.
We’ve been going through ALL the emotions. It’s easy to mourn all that was good that’s now gone. The plans. The community. The ministry. The family. The fun. Our home. Our team. The late nights with laughter and tears. Serving, learning, loving.
The grief continues to come like waves—sometimes I know it’s coming; other times it knocks me suddenly off my feet. It’s not wrong to mourn. But we don’t despair.
Let’s bring our deep lament to God. Cry out. Question. Weep. Be honest with Him. And then be honest with yourself. Remind yourself who our God is: lover of your soul; guide to your steps; king of your heart.
Choose truth over shadow.
Talk to yourself when cloudy and shadowy thoughts come to mind: “I’m forgotten. I’m alone. God doesn’t want good for me. God wasn’t big enough to fix it.”
These lies creep in, and we’ve got to call them out for what they are. Speak truth to yourself. If it’s hard to remember what that truth is, here are a few reminders to use for support (scroll down to “Words that make a difference”).
Choose service over self-pity.
Don’t limit the truth-talking to just telling yourself. Mutual encouragement has been one of the greatest benefits of living in our Christ-centered community. When one of us doubts or forgets, another is there to remind her of biblical truth.
It’s easy to go into self-care mode, looking only inward, or dwelling in self-pity. But don’t settle for easy. Reach out to your sisters. Encourage them. Listen to them. Point them to Christ. Instead of focusing on yourself, look out to see who you can serve.
Choose eternal over temporary.
It’s natural focus on what looks good right here, right now, instead of what is soul-good, eternity-good, spiritually good. He knows what is truly good for all eternity instead of good for a moment. Let’s think bigger and longer and deeper than what our hearts naturally turn to.
It’s radical to have hope in the middle of hardship. It requires an eternal perspective. God is working for His glory for the entire world over the course of all time. Let’s trust Him on this.
Choose grateful over discouraged.
Every good memory can now be a source of discouragement or a well of gratitude. When memories arise, or when we think of what would have been if our original plans were in place, let’s choose to turn it into praise to the One who gave us good gifts instead of spiraling into discouragement because we wish things were different.
Choose boldness over fear.
We thought we knew what was coming. Now, there are a lot of new things in new places with new people. It would be easy to choose to sit this one out. To step back out of fear, or to look at new situations with anxiety, now fully understanding how our plans can be changed without our consent. Instead, let’s step out into this as a new adventure.
After all, it wasn’t our choice to change, it is God providing these new divine appointments. If He has placed us somewhere, let’s be bold in living for Him.
This experience? Now it’s part of your equipping. He’s gifted us with more empathy and opportunities to rely on Him.
The people you’ll now be rubbing shoulders with? They’re not accidently in your life. Share how He is writing your story. BE A LIGHT right where God has plugged you in. Talk about spiritual things. Bring up God’s character in everyday confersations. Let’s use the stories He is writing for His glory, with boldness.
Choose trust over your limited perspective.
What we had at CSU was so good. I saw each of you grow—in your knowledge of God, in your relationship with Him, in knowing how He has gifted you. Our team, our community, our family—all good! And now we are up against something not good—or at least it doesn’t seem good at first glance.
I don’t know all the things. When I compare what I know to His literally endless knowledge, wisdom and understanding, my perspective falls miserably short. Yet, I naturally find myself basing my opinions and outlook on my own understanding in everyday situations.
But I have to remind myself that my perspective is so limited. God knows everything – from before time through all eternity. He knows you and me better than we know ourselves.
Even when we don’t know – how is He going to provide direction, finances, jobs, community, ministry? Every natural response is to fear and doubt. Radical requires trust. Not because we have this amazing faith, but because we have this amazing God.
When it seems normal to look for our security in something, anything, choose to radically trust God, including His plan and His timing.
Choose Christ above all others.
All of these things I’m not just writing for you. I have to tell myself to choose. It doesn’t come naturally—that’s why it’s radical.
Jesus’ life was full of radical.
God has worked in radical ways since the Old Testament.
Radical isn’t common.
Radical isn’t the natural response.
Radical doesn’t always make sense.
Yet, Jesus commands radical: Deny yourself. Take up your cross. Follow Him.
It’s not the natural response. It’s radical living. Just like you set your minds on last spring.
Radical is our calling. Together, let’s be altogether different for the glory of God.
Love you always. I’m cheering for you as you follow Him.