by Steve Hudson

"Break Dividing Walls"

I hesitate to write the following, for I know that there are a few here on campus 
that are unsure of "signs and wonders," as well as visions, but I feel that what 
the following has to say must be brought to point.

Around the beginning of December, we were gathered in chapel singing praise 
and worship songs.  I had my eyes closed to focus, and I saw a vision.  I saw 
what seemed to be like a dark red band.  This band, much like a rubberband, 
was stretched down the isles, across the front, and around the people in the 
sanctuary.  It was stretched into a shape like that of a square, at the four 
corners of the room, being held there, without touching anyone.  It was 
about three feet in height and about half an inch in width, being about a 
foot off of the floor.

I thought about it, without much prayer, and felt that God was telling me 
about unity and closeness.  I felt as if God was saying that He wanted that 
rubberband to pull in and bring His people at the college more in unity, as 
opposed to being separated and divided.

I didn't think much about it, except "Of course, Lord, I know You want us 
united as One."  I left it at that without much prayer beyond that.  I had no 
idea that possibly this vision might have been a sort of "prophesy."

When Joel Pierce left us, so much support and compassion flooded the campus, 
both from within the campus and from people outside of the institution.  We have 
been separated as a people based on factors such as race, culture, gender, the-
ology, interests, line of study, etc.  I believe that what had happened Tuesday 
morning could possibly be what's causing the "rubberband" to stretch back, 
pulling us together as a people, as a school, as part of the Body of Christ.

I want to encourage every one of you to strive towards unity.  We need each 
other, not only through the hard times such as these, but even through the 
good.  I believe that God grieves over division and bitterness within His Church.  
Galatians 3:26-28 speaks of all of the believers of Christ being the same, equal--
we are One.

I know that since my arrival to GC in the fall of 1995, I have wronged a few 
of you, and I have disappointed a few more.  I want to publicly say that I 
was wrong and that I'm asking for your forgiveness and grace.  I plead 
with all of you to please do the same.

We are going to be less effective than we should be if we continue on in 
division and strife.  We need to get over some of the garbage in our lives 
and get on to what God wants in us.  We need to be lifting up one another, 
healing one another, touching one another.

If either of you need someone to talk to, someone to cry with, somewhere 
to crash, whatever, don't hesitate to contact me.  I will do whatever I can.  
May God bless you all.  With love from above, I love you.

© 1997 Greenville Papyrus, admin. by STRTJCKT Publishing, 2003