In 1940, a Spanish chicken farmer named Juan Pujol García decided that he would drop everything and aid the Allies during World War II; he wanted to become a spy for the British. After being denied the position three times, García switched tactics and applied to work for the German intelligence. This time, he was quickly recruited. García then immediately returned to Britain where he became a double agent. Over the next four years, García would send credible yet completely bogus reports to the Nazis while keeping the Allies informed of their strategies all the while. Along the way, García was awarded both the German Iron Cross and the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, something that he found deeply amusing. His career reached a climax when he deceived Hitler and ensured the success of D-Day.
So, what’s the point? Sure, it’s an entertaining nugget of history that’s fun to bring up every once in awhile, but why bother writing about it here? Hold that thought.
Fast-forward approximately seventy-five years. Two weeks ago, we celebrated several Houghton alumni, recognizing their achievements and contributions to society and the world around us. Whether they’re writing award-winning literature or training Olympic athletes, it’s impossible to deny that Houghton College has produced countless graduates who have gone on to achieve amazing things. After watching a ceremony like this, it’s hard to believe that each of these men and women were once a freshman like me.
Being in a brand-new place is certainly intimidating, especially when I find myself surrounded by lots of people who are already at ease and know their way around college life. In full honesty, it’s often easy for me to feel somewhat insignificant, and I’m willing to bet that there are many other students who can relate and understand where I’m coming from.
That being said, I’m not trying to throw a woe-is-me pity-party. Everyone on this campus either is or was a newcomer and most likely has experienced at least a taste of what I’ve expressed. Yet in spite of that, the evidence we saw just two weeks ago at the awards ceremony shows that simply being young or new makes no difference as to the potential for greatness in any given student. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that, more often than not, we undersell our ability to be excellent at something based on the assumption that because we are new we cannot be as good as others.
There is something God created deep down inside of us, something difficult to define. It’s a kind of spark put within the core of our being, a small but powerful inspiration to go beyond what we might normally do. All of our important accomplishments stem from this innate desire, and it is what encourages us to please our Creator. God struck this spark with purpose in mind. It is not simply an ability, but a mission. The Apostle Peter sums it up in 1 Peter 4:10: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
Do you remember Juan Pujol García? Within a year he went from feeding chickens to being one of the most elite British spies on the field. Within three more years he had changed the course of history. While you or I may not go on to shake the foundation of a war (although you never know), we most certainly have the capability to do remarkable things. If a chicken farmer can become a secret agent, surely a Houghton freshman can become truly incredible.
Luke is a first-year majoring in writing.