David Brillhart, College Friend
Dave and I met at Freshman Orientation in 1976. We shared the same friend group as we were both involved with spiritual leadership on the campus.
One day after running the 1.6 mile loop round campus, we sat on the steps by old Burman Hall. Dave asked me what I had learned in my time with God that morning. I admitted that that morning, I hadn’t had worship. Dave gently chided me saying that I should always be prepared to give an answer, to give a reason/testimony for my hope, to be able to share something fresh from God’s word. He said that he would ask me the same question the next day. I made sure I spent time in worship the next morning, and the next . . .
At the end of the school year, before I headed off to work at New Frenda for Summer camp (Port Carling, Ontario) Dave gave me a copy of a book called, The Great Controversy. He encouraged me to read it over the Summer and share with him what I learned. I made a pledge to God that I would give Him one hour every day, and asked Him to take me deeper in His word so that I would have something fresh each day to share with others.
As I read from the book Dave had given me, I looked up every Scripture that was referenced. It was a like a treasure hunt as one text led to another, and then another, painting this beautiful, yet often heart-breaking picture of God’s efforts to rescue this planet and me. One day I looked at the clock and noticed that three hours had gone by while I had been reading the book and searching the Scriptures.
The next Fall, Dave gave me a book called, The Desire of Ages. I hungrily read it every day. My friendship with Dave, and his gift of these two books, contributed to what has become a lifelong habit of intentionally spending time with God every day. Yes, there’ve been dry seasons, but the memory of the depth and joy I experienced that Summer, pulls me out of the barren lonely place to experience companionship with God again.
Having the accountability of a friend, a mentor, a small group, can provide intentional discipleship.