Of all the things I never imagined myself being described as, “sorority girl” ranks way, way high on that list. But I was one. I guess in many ways, I’ll always be one.
It’s fall and that means football and pumpkin spice lattes but it also many recruitment (or ‘rush’). Don’t worry, I’m not going to even begin to explain what that is or what that means, but with many of my friends entering “rush week,” I’ve been thinking back to a little letter I wrote them this time last year. It may not apply to many of you, but if you’re in the midst of a crazy season or if you’re struggling to just make it to the weekend, these words are for you, too. Feel free to replace “recruitment” with whatever mountain you’re facing.
Sometimes we just need someone to hold out their hand, remind us that we’re going to make it, and gently say that that this piece of our story matters, too. May these words be just that.
an open letter to the girls “on the other side” of recruitment:
Hey there, sweet girl. I hope these words will be like taking a much needed deep breath, and I’m praying that you’ll choose to abide in the Truth as you finish strong. There are three things I want to remind you of:
First, know that this has nothing to do with you. And honestly, thank goodness. Because left up to us, it would all fail. We would freak out, be overwhelmed by all the emotions, and be flat worn out from it all. I know you’re probably thinking – wait, I am tired. In fact, I’m exhausted and I don’t have time for any of the things I have to get done. And I could say that it’s going to be okay or that it’ll all be worth it, and you would agree but still go back to your dorm room overwhelmed. So instead can I just remind you that God’s got it? He does. Regardless of if you mess up or it doesn’t go according to your plan, God’s got it. Recruitment is not out of His control.
Second, you are in a place of ministry. Right here, right now, you are able to minister and encourage. As a sophomore I remember sitting at practices and being completely unsure of how I ever received a bid. I looked around at so many amazing girls and couldn’t figure it out. And then I looked at the process and felt like recruitment would be judgmental, hypocritical, and just wrong.
Thankfully God showed me that we aren’t playing God by saying which house they should go to. We literally get to sit down, make a girl feel welcome, calm her nerves, and listen to a little piece of her story. We get to minister and encourage. But girls, don’t wait until you welcome a stranger into your home. Do it now. Minister now. Encourage now. Everyone is tired and everyone needs it. What you need to hear is probably what the girls on your left and right need to hear.
You’re probably not going to want to hear this last part, but just hear me out. What you’re doing is important… but ultimately, none of it matters. Except that it does – but only when our minds and hearts are fixed on the right thing. We say “all the things” all the time, but I’m gonna say it again. Instead of thinking about all the things and all the homework and all the frustrations, fix your mind instead on Him. We aren’t called to fix all the things. We’re called to love, to serve, and to glorify Him.
Even when things are dark, this is what I know to be true: God is still good. And He is still moving, still active, still speaking. Over and over He puts the words “the sword of the Spirit” in front of me, and I’m more and more convinced that Scripture is what we really need. Allow me to leave you with this one verse, but take a deep breath before listening. “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17.
God’s got it. All of it. All of you.
It will be worth it. Keep walking, keep loving, keep showing up.
Don’t waste these moments to love much and love well.
Very wise words! I remember being on both sides of sorority recruitment very well and how tense it was. I actually didn’t receive a bid the first time I went through recruitment, but joined as a charter member of my chapter. Both were learning experiences. I’m always blessed to read your writing and this was no exception!