By Scarlett Birge, student news writer, Office of University Communications
“We have a God that loves us and wants to do good. The Lord is opening up opportunities,” Dr. Damon Eubank, chair of the Department of Social Science and professor of history, at the Oct. 9 chapel.
The crowd began to applaud as Eubank was introduced to the stage, to which he commented that usually the applause occurs when the service is finished. His opening remark incited laughter in the audience. He then continued to begin the service by sharing a personal story about his life.
Eubank mused over the idea of timing and how things unexpectedly change as he explained how four years ago life seemed perfectly on track and unbothered until his wife began to have medical complications with headaches and eye pressure that was eventually diagnosed as glaucoma.
He discussed how they struggled to find a suitable treatment as nothing was working to help her condition. The only option they had left was to perform a surgery that would take away the pressure, but, in addition, take away her sight.
He said how everyone has their own story of this nature, whether it be a relative with cancer or a tragic car accident. Everyone goes through a “time when somebody you love is hurting,” Eubank said.
Due to this, Eubank mentioned how often people turn around and wonder why such things happen. Referencing Revelations 12:1, Eubank used his life’s story to list off the things that cannot be taken away from us, even in our hardest times. He cited the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony as the things that the “enemy cannot overcome.” He said “The enemy can’t take away what God has done in your life.”
The world in which we live likes to mislead and lie to us, Eubank said. We are taught to keep to ourselves and not reach out for help when we need it, but Eubank encouraged the audience to challenge these worldly views and instead look at them through God’s perspective.
“The Lord started showing me something,” he said. “It didn’t always happen all at once; it isn’t always easy,” Eubank said. referring to the lessons he’s come to learn through his experience.
He read from Proverbs 17:17, which addresses times of adversity, to express that attitudes are the one thing we still have power over when we feel powerless.
“Attitude changes everything,” he said. “If you are going through an issue, cope with it in your own way, seek help. There are pastors here, there are councilors. Seek help and change your attitude.”
Eubank said the Lord changed directions in his life and changed his attitude for the better. “That’s my story. What’s going to be your story in the future?” Eubank said as he received a standing ovation.
Campbellsville University is a widely-acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 12,000 students offering over 100 programs of study including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The university has Kentucky based off-campus centers in Louisville, Harrodsburg, Somerset, Hodgenville and Liberty with instructional sites in Elizabethtown, Owensboro and Summersville. Out-of-state centers include two in California at Los Angeles and Lathrop, located in the San Francisco Bay region. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.
Campbellsville University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates, associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the status of Campbellsville University.