the cave...

It's Tuesday... and for nearly nine years of my life Tuesdays have been dedicated to FCA at Methodist. I was the nerd who e-mailed the Methodist FCA advisor when I was in high school to get more information on the group, but it was a group I felt comfortable with and thought might help my transition to college spiritually. My dad was already lining up phone numbers and addresses to southern baptist churches and I wasn't sure I wanted to do anything he suggested but FCA could be mine. I had led FCA at my high school and I felt like I fit there.

When I arrived at Methodist, I moved into my room in Weaver Hall and every time I went up or down the stairs, I passed the door to "the cave" where FCA met. At some point I convinced my roommate to go with me and the first Tuesday night we crept down to the basement not having a clue what to expect. It blew my expectations out of the water. I don't think we talked to anyone and as soon as it was over we scampered back up the stairs to our room, but we couldn't stop talking about it. The cave walls were painted black, there were couches and cushions everywhere and a band of students played worship music and yet nothing felt like church. During the last song, the lights went out and the walls and ceiling lit up with glow in the dark stars. Between the darkness... the stars... and the chorus of voices around me I couldn't stop grinning. As much as soccer drew me to Methodist, it was the cave where I fell in love.

The stars were a perfect way for me to get away from the distractions of the day... to clear my head and worship. I have such fond memories from the cave... and thankfully one video I will treasure forever.

When I came back to Methodist a few years later, FCA was in the process of out growing the cave and has since moved to a huge space ready to accommodate hundreds of students. Of course I still think we fit just as many students in the cozy cave, but evidently the fire marshal doesn't consider packing a hundred students into the basement a good idea. We're at the point now where none of the current students had the opportunity to experience the cave. I try to remember it's not about the building or the space, but I'm also determined to never forget my experiences in the cave. I grew so much there... as a Christian... as a person... and as a friend. I miss the cave.