Soriority recruitment, formerly known as rush is under way. I did it - well, at least the other version. Over the past couple days I've witnessed spiffed up after spiffed up females between 18-20 parade around campus, cheering, singing, marching. Perfumes I never knew existed exist. It's like walking through that section in the Department Store as a kid holding your nose. Why do we do it? I did it. Why?

In my case I did it because I wanted friends. In my case I did it because I was scared. I was scared and lonely and didn't think I'd make friends, at least not as quickly as I could by joining a fraternity. I went to school determined not to join a fraternity, defined by not having to do so. After a few days and lots of positive pressure to join I gave in and went to party after party where I was showered with compliments and promises. I was sharp (not bragging - hey, I got most sophisticated and most trendy my senior year) and the school I attended only had three legitimate fraternities. If you were a half-sharp guy you got noticed. I was also insecure and loved the fact that all three apparantly gave me approval and recognition. I chose the one I thought was most "different." After a year or so I was converted and became a follower of Jesus. I thought it best to stay in the fraternity to "influence change" and keep friends. That's what Jesus did. He didn't destroy institutions. He makes his people salt and light within and for the world. I did resign as social chairman because I couldn't plan spring break orgies anymore (that's overstating it, maybe?). I remained and made myself keymaster, making sure folks got rides from parties and made it home safe. Then, the problem arose. I met real community and a real person I wanted to marry. I found real friends who didn't prop up each others insecurities but actually challenged and inspired each other. I'm not saying this can't happen in Greek life, it just wasn't happening in mine and I was longing for it. And, I didn't need the parties anymore. I had a wife to prepare for - a wedding to pay for - a life to grow up for and dues were in the way.

The hardest part though was what then we called blackballing. When I was active and it came time for pledges to rush I realized how it worked. We judged them according to certain criteria: coolness, looks, smarts, athleticism, status, etc...If you were not fit enough to survive you were, uh, sorry, cut out of the evolutionary process. That's right, you were cut.

I have a friend here who works with the Greeks and he graciously allows me to be involved at times. He does a great job trying to undermine the wrong things and encourage the right things. I'm thankful he's here. I'm thankful he lets me get in there and stir the pot at times. The truth is there is a place you can be accepted and loved not for how beautiful you are or any status you have AND there is a community that attempts to believe that. It's the church and that's why Jesus calls us brothers because it's a brotherhood based not on race, color, tribe, gifts, nationality, greek or non-greek but based on the gospel - the good new that we are measured up based on what Jesus did and who he is and not on what we do or who we are. It's exclusive - you can't get in if you don't acknowledge your unfitness to get in. It's inclusive - if you do acknowledge your unworth you receive his worth. It's that worth that frees you to live without the approval of others. So, whether you get blackballed or accepted by men, it doesn't matter. It is not what defines you. Jesus does.