We Belong Together

Janae Rogers: All right, let's get up for Travis and Brogan.
All right, how are y'all?
It's Tuesday, so it's not Monday, so it's already better.
My name is Janae Rogers, if you don't know me.
I'm the director of social media here,
and I am so excited to get to introduce our guests today.
I've been blessed to know the Eder family
for what feels like my whole life,
definitely Ethan's whole life.
I grew up with his brother and sister in youth group in Abilene and where they
were Ethan was not far behind everyone knew Ethan you couldn't not know Ethan
and now that he's grown up not only do I feel old I can only imagine that he can
be found dreaming up his next shenanigan or two he is a huge baseball fan loves
people loves public speaking and you will love listening Hope is his best
She loves singing, karaoke, and she loves dancing,
and has been known to zestfully belt out the national anthem at random times,
which we should know lots about, Follies.
No stranger to that.
So she would love to go to college someday at ACU, right?
It's fine, I guess.
Kidding.
We support ACU.
She loves bossing her mom around, which who doesn't?
And she anticipates becoming an empress of a small nation someday.
So without further ado, let me introduce Ethan and Hope.
Thank you.
Hope: Good morning, everyone.
Today, I wanted to talk about something very important, how God brings good from all things.
The Bible says in all things, God works for the good of those who love him.
That does not mean everything is easy.
It does not mean everything feels good.
But it does mean that God is always working, even in hard times, even in times of change, even in times of pain.
God sees the whole picture.
We only see small parts.
He can turn hard days into stronger faith.
He can turn fear into courage.
He can turn differences into gifts.
A song played earlier from the musical Wicked says,
Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.
That line is simple, but it is powerful.
The people we know shape us.
They help us grow.
that help us love better. As college students are learning many things, you
are reading books, you're writing papers, you are training for jobs, but you are
Also learning how to live.
Sorry, I'll give you one minute.
With others, you are learning how to serve.
You are learning how to build a community.
Here is something very important.
We all belong in God's presence together.
Not just some of us, not the smart ones, not the strong ones, not just the popular ones.
I am popular.
Ethan: Hey, popular right here.
Hope: All of us, every race, every ability, every background, every story, I love reading.
In the Bible, we see that Jesus welcomed people who were left out.
He ate with them. He walked with them. He loved them.
When we come into God's presence, we do not stand alone.
We stand side by side because Jesus knows us.
We have been changed for the better.
that makes me think about people with Down syndrome.
People with Down syndrome are made in the image of God.
They may learn in a different way.
They may speak in a different way,
but different does not mean less.
Different can be beautiful.
Thank you all.
Many people with Down syndrome show great joy.
They show honest love.
They remind us to slow down.
They remind us that each person matters.
And here is the truth.
We need each other.
we are not meant to live alone.
We are not meant to worship alone.
We are meant to build the world alone.
We belong in God's presence together.
And when we stand together, we grow stronger.
God does not make...
God does not...
make mistakes.
Every person is here
on purpose.
Every person has
gifts. Some gifts are loud.
Some gifts are quiet.
But all gifts
matter. As
Christian college students,
you are leaders now
and leaders
for the future.
You will become teachers, nurses,
pastors, business
owners, parents, and friends, you will help shape churches, schools, and cities.
You can help build a better world, a world where all people are welcome, a world where
all people are included, a world where no one sits alone.
a world where everyone has a place at a table
where we choose kindness
we build that world when we listen to build that world
when we speak up for someone who's left out
we build the world
and when we love the way God loves
we are changed for good
So let us choose to belong to God together.
Let us choose to welcome others together.
Let us work side by side to build a world that reflects God's heart.
Because all things God is working for good.
When we love each other well, we will see the good grow.
Thank you.
Ethan: Thank you for my best friend for your speech.
And before you leave, bless my brother.
Get him married.
For my sister-in-law, my brother's name is Samuel.
And before you leave, bless my brother.
His name is Samuel Eli Eder.
Can you bless him?
Get married.
And Scotty, I love you, girl.
Dads, I played Minecraft last night.
And I played Scunners with you.
Love you, dads.
Travis: Let's pray.
Father thank you for today
thank you for allowing us just a moment
to come take time out of our day
to refocus our minds on you
in the midst of everything that's going on
Father thank you for this
this time in chapel that we could focus on
some people that sometimes go unseen
in our society
Father help us
to understand that though our roles in your kingdom look different,
that they are all just as important to you.
Father, thank you for blessing us.
Thank you for this university that you use throughout the world
for your purposes and the people that come here.
It's in your son's name that we pray. Amen.
Go to class.