Miller shares thoughts on meaningful life

Hardeman Auditorium was filled with laughter Thursday night as Donald Miller shared stories and insight with Oklahoma Christian University.

Miller, New York Times best-selling author and evangelical speaker, came to the campus to share ideas about community, perseverance and meaningful living. Accompanying his life-changing ideals, Miller made his lecture light-hearted and humorous.

“I learned a lot,” senior Nehemiah Knox said. “He was able to put a new spin on things that I had not thought about before.”

With his lecture on Thursday night, Miller made two other appearances during his time on campus. He spoke in chapel on Thursday morning and held a private question and answer forum in the Gaylord Room following his lecture. Knox was one of two students who won a seat in the forum by submitting a question for Miller to the Ethos program via Twitter.

“This was the first Q & A I have gone to during my time at OC,” Knox said. “Honestly, I wish I had gone to more of them [in the past] because OC has excellent speakers.”

Summer Lashley, Ethos director, organized Miller’s visit to Oklahoma Christian. Lashley said this event was in the works for a while before it came to fruition this semester. She said she initially hoped to take a small group of students to Miller’s Storyline Conference, but realized that his message could reach more of the student body if Miller came to campus himself.

“I actually emailed him…and said I want you to come and talk to our students about the importance of living your best life,” Lashley said. “That’s part of what his conference is about is being bold and being courageous and taking risks.”

Miller hit on the topics Lashley desired as well as presenting three “important things” he thinks all Christians should strive for: a project to work on, a community to be vulnerable in and a redemptive perspective of suffering.

“What if every hard thing that happened to you could be turned into something beautiful?” Miller said.

Miller conveyed his message primarily by telling stories. He discussed the development of his friendships with celebrities Bob Goff and Pete Carroll as well as meeting his wife, Betsy. He also shared personal stories about his struggles with emotional health and other suffering he has experienced throughout his life.

Senior Jace Huser is a fan of Miller and had the opportunity to assist in organizing the event. Huser said he appreciates Miller’s openness in his writing and his willingness to share his own story.

“His first book, ‘Blue Like Jazz,’ was written at a time when he was going through what a lot of [what today’s college students] are going through,” Huser said. “I think [his message] can really speak to a lot of college students who are in a transitional period or are trying to find God.”

Lashley said one of Miller’s greatest strengths as an evangelist is his originality. She said she hopes that his lecture will inspire the students at Oklahoma Christian to try new things.

“I want the students to decide to do that one thing that they have in the back of their mind, that little nagging in the back of their mind,” Lashley said. “I want them to actually try it.”

Miller provided other advice aimed towards college students and young adults. He encouraged listeners to invest in relationships that provide “sustenance.”

“Find people you want to be like, and spend time with them and become like them,” Miller said.

Miller attributed all of his success to God and told the audience to rely on their faith to carry out their goals.

“I talk about changing the world, but I think there’s this beautiful part where you take it as far as you can take it and Jesus has to take it the rest of the way,” Miller said. “So, involve him.”

To summarize his message, Miller tied his three main points together into one idea: involving God in decision-making and goal-setting is what makes life meaningful.

“I think we should be like Christ,” Miller said. “I think we should have a deep sense of our meaning and do it.”

Huser said he was glad to have a positive reaction to Miller from the student body.

“That was really reassuring that there are students on campus who are very interested [with Donald Miller],” Huser said.

For more information about Donald Miller and his ministry, visit StoryLineBlog.com.

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