There are very few phone calls that I remember receiving that were as eagerly awaited and as exciting as the call I got on the evening of February 12th, 2012 from Louisville, Kentucky. That was the call I had dreamed of receiving for years, when I would finally hear "we are happy to inform you that you have been accepted to study at Southern Seminary". I had already started dreaming and thinking about what life in seminary would be like, what it would be like to meet and study under great professors and scholars such as Dr. Albert Mohler Jr., Dr. Russell Moore and Dr. Thomas Schreiner. August couldn't come fast enough! I was on my way to teach some violin lessons and, needless to say, my mind was not really focused on music or my students very well.
In a sense, this call made me feel a lot like how receiving an acceptance letter from McMaster University made me feel just a few years ago - that feeling of relief, and dreams coming true, and something so great finally being so close, is probably something we can all relate to. Maybe it wasn't a phone call or a letter that has made you feel unusually and uniquely overjoyed, but chances are that you can relate to the feeling I'm trying to explain. For you, likely, it wasn't seminary and you might be thinking that this excitement about seminary sounds a little obsessive. If you are, you are not too far off from the truth.
I think part of me has been obsessed with seminary for a few years. I've always enjoyed school and reminisce about studyig and learning at least once a week (even though I really enjoy the working life). People I know who feel called to go to ministry and decide to go to seminary are some of my present-day spiritual heros. The combination of going back to school and being prepared and equipped by the Holy Spirit through pastors and professors to serve the Lord in full time ministry is that one season of life I often can't wait for.
My wife often says to me, "don't wish away your present" - often in a very 'be careful', wise, and gentle way. God has really used her in my life to help me see this very temptation in my life with regards to school in seminary. Throughout the past year I have gotten a few wake-up calls and warnings in this area of my life. I have realized more and more and been able to apply to my life more and more the idea that ministry preparation does not begin nor end with seminary. The purpose of the seminary is the glory of God through preparation for the service of God. Seminary will only be as beneficial as I can see past the seminary to the call of the Lord in my life. It would be foolish and downright pathetic if one of the tools God wanted to use to refine me became an idol in my life. Let us not wish we had what we don't and were where we aren't. Let us not wish away, in discontentment and envy, our present blessing from God for the hope and assumed joy in something future the Lord doesn't have for us (yet, and might never). .
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| The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary |
I think part of me has been obsessed with seminary for a few years. I've always enjoyed school and reminisce about studyig and learning at least once a week (even though I really enjoy the working life). People I know who feel called to go to ministry and decide to go to seminary are some of my present-day spiritual heros. The combination of going back to school and being prepared and equipped by the Holy Spirit through pastors and professors to serve the Lord in full time ministry is that one season of life I often can't wait for.
My wife often says to me, "don't wish away your present" - often in a very 'be careful', wise, and gentle way. God has really used her in my life to help me see this very temptation in my life with regards to school in seminary. Throughout the past year I have gotten a few wake-up calls and warnings in this area of my life. I have realized more and more and been able to apply to my life more and more the idea that ministry preparation does not begin nor end with seminary. The purpose of the seminary is the glory of God through preparation for the service of God. Seminary will only be as beneficial as I can see past the seminary to the call of the Lord in my life. It would be foolish and downright pathetic if one of the tools God wanted to use to refine me became an idol in my life. Let us not wish we had what we don't and were where we aren't. Let us not wish away, in discontentment and envy, our present blessing from God for the hope and assumed joy in something future the Lord doesn't have for us (yet, and might never). .
Glad that you're blogging, Drez. It'll be a dope way to keep in touch, in lieu of social media that we may/may not be active on lol.
ReplyDeleteI'm commenting to say that, and to pipe in that I really appreciated Courtney's advice to you here. It's essentially what someone else cautioned me about recently, in looking ahead to a future I desire but is not yet here (may not come?)...and not thanking God at all for the now. It's a good word, that needs consistent reminders. Coo' coo' =]. Well, I'm off.
Have a great week!
Probably should identify myself...(Bamikole =])
DeleteHey bro! Thanks for the encouragement, I'm still just testing the waters and see how this blog thing will work out. Courtney is one wise woman! And yes, the joy of enjoying fully the grace and purpose of today is very easily overlooked. Stay in touch!
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