Defining moment: Living a life with the Lord
Bethel University student uncovers what it means to be a devoted Christian and walk with Christ.
By Natalie Gilmore |Royal Report
Alyssa Kolb takes a deep breath, placing her right hand over her nose and closes her eyes fast. For a second the world goes dark. She feels the weight of the water rush over her as she is dipped in a shallow pool by her dear friend and mentor, Pastor Dave. As she is lifted back up, her worries, sin, and fears are washed away. Kolb opens her eyes and smiles big. For once the dark world she used to know just got a whole lot brighter.
“In a moment your life can change. The feeling is really indescribable. It’s either a feeling of unbelievable joy or pain washing over you” — Alyssa Kolb, freshman
This is a story about a senior in high school taking some time to develop a stronger connection with God and learn the importance of relying on him through the good times and the bad.
“In a moment your life can change. The feeling is really indescribable,” Kolb said, “It’s either a feeling of unbelievable joy or pain washing over you.”
Flashback to Kolb’s freshmen year, three years from this moment. Kolb forcefully closes her bedroom door with a bang. She flops on her bed and covers her ears with one of her pillows.
Here we go again, thinks Kolb. Sure enough, cue the yelling and the screams, Kolb’s parents are fighting again. What could it be over this time? Drinking. Dad is drinking again. When does it end? Where is the silver lining in all of this mess? Buzz. Buzz. Kolb looks over at her phone. One new text message from her best friend, Oliva. Kolb toss the phone aside and rolls her eyes. For she already knows what the message would read and she didn’t have time for that right now. It was just another annoying reminder from Oliva telling her to sign up for church camp. The last place Kolb wants to be is church camp. It’s hard to think that a God of love and mercy would allow so much hatred and brokenness into her life, especially with her parents. With spring break almost around the corner, Kolb doesn’t have time to be thinking about the summer. Besides, she’s got bigger problems of her own, like finding a way to focus on studying for the upcoming midterms. Kolb puts her headphones in and opens her geometry book. For now, she is able to escape the reality for just a moment.
“A Christian allows God to work through them in order for him to mold you by his spirit into who he wants you to be through Christ.” — Alyssa Kolb, freshman
It’s a hot, sticky day. Typical weather for Minnesota summer. Kolb leans back against the tree. The bark of the tree slowly scratches her back as she sinks into her thinking spot. Finally, a moment alone to herself. This was her favorite part of church camp, the quiet time after the morning chapel. Usually, it was the time for her to walk around and explore the camp grounds. Like the one time she found the old abandon tree fort or when she found out the location to where the outdoor sanctuary. However, this time Kolb decided to spend it differently because something was troubling her. She reflects on what Pastor Phil, the camp’s guest speaker, told them this morning. Pastor Phil spoke about the difference between living as a religious person to being a Christian. According to Kolb, “There is a sharp difference between the two. In his teaching, He stated that actually being Christians comes from our attitude and perspective on our lives. Being a religious person is to rely on your own abilities in order to do things that will please yourself. Where as a Christian acknowledges their own human inability and sinfulness. A Christian allows God to work through them in order for him to mold you by his spirit into who he wants you to be through Christ.” Kolb took out her notebook and began writing all of her sins and inabilities as a human. As her list came to an end, she realized that it was time to shed her religious ways and start being a Christian again.
Freshmen year was hard for Kolb and her family. However, upon returning from camp, God worked in their lives to heal and mend their relationships. Kolb admires her father’s strenght and courage it took for him to get better. She is very grateful to see him as himself again and loves the time they share together. Their relationship is stronger than ever.
Bill, Kolb’s dad, slammed the car trunk. It was three weeks after her baptism, Kolb is all packed for her first year at Bethel University. She couldn’t believe how the summer has flown by and how she developed in such a short period of time. It all started with the amazing week she spent at camp with her friends and then returning home on a ‘Jesus High’. Then finding out the good news that while she was away her dad went into treatment for his drinking. Indeed, this was a summer of healing for Kolb and her family. Change was coming and change had happened. Kolb couldn’t wait to see what God had in store for her.
