Over the few short years of college, we get to see lives transformed by Christ -- young people who experience God's love and make a generous response to the Lord of their lives. There are so many incredible examples of men and women who have made radical decisions to be missionaries, priests, married, religious - all in a culture that has made it harder to follow God.
I recently read that researchers have discovered new genes in our central nervous system that turn themselves on when we are placed in new situations. These genes code for new proteins, and these proteins are the building blocks for new structures in our brains. This means that there are parts of us that are waiting in a state of potential, waiting to become. We have to say something, go somewhere new, and take risks in order for these genes to turn on. And if we do not, parts of us remain incomplete.
It was a Wednesday night around 7:57. The screen displayed a countdown. Just two minutes until my college experience would be forever changed. I didn't know that at the time, of course.