“Come and See”

Written by Carlisle Allen, Fellows Class of 2026

“Come and see.” A saying I have heard, read, prayed, written, sung, and whispered under my breath more times than I can count since Fellows began. What I thought was just an invitation I was extending to others, God had also been extending to me the whole time.

I read these three words after an evening of working with middle schoolers. They were still learning my name, and I was only beginning to learn their stories. Discouraged, confused, and wanting to rush the process, I came across Psalm 66:5:

“Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.”

As I meditated on these words, a lightbulb illuminated inside of me. My perspective, my mission, my ideas of my purpose…they all shifted with those holy, inspired words that provided wisdom I couldn’t muster up on my own. Those three words were the words I had been missing. Come and see. My job as a youth leader, and as a believer in general, was not to take over the Spirit’s work in convicting, saving, and sanctifying. My job was and is to invite these students to “come and see what God has done”– to proclaim the “awesome deeds” that God has shown us through the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is exactly what I had been missing. In my own walk with the Lord, I had lost sight of the power and wonder that I was trying to invite these students to see. Yet, in spite of myself, Jesus has been so kind in pursuing this part of my heart that I had neglected.

This became a kind of mission statement for me at work. I wrote it on my Bible; I would write it on my wrist before Wednesday night gatherings; I talked about it nonstop with friends from college. But in the excitement of my newfound zeal, I missed the invitation God was extending to me. I forgot that I, too, need continual reminders of who God is and what He has done. I can’t be an intentional leader to middle school girls if I’m not first being an intentional follower of Christ. That is how our priorities and affections get all out of whack. Realizing this has been convicting to say the least, but has also been a kind and gentle welcome from the Father–an invitation to look more intently at the things of God and the ways His Spirit is moving in my life and community.

As I sit here writing this, I know that I still have so much retreating and learning to do in God’s presence, but I am so thankful for the ways in which the Fellows Program has already called me to “come and see.”

I have seen God’s faithfulness and care in the way each member of this community shows up for one another.

I have seen a broken city in a broken world, but I have also seen where God is deploying His Spirit and people in creative acts of redemption.

I have seen the image of God beautifully borne in each Fellow, especially in their giftings and passions.

I have seen God’s long, steadfast acts of storywriting in vocational lunch speakers.

I have seen disagreements resolve in unity by the power and guidance of God.

I have seen hope in the eyes of brothers and sisters who have listened to my story, held it well, and pushed me to believe for better even when I didn’t have the strength to.

I have seen the gospel be sufficient in all things to all kinds of people.

I am thankful we walk alongside a God who wants to be known and experienced, and that He is a God who does not hide after inviting us to come and see Him.