Hello, everyone. Before you begin reading, let me express the joy that comes when I find someone has left a comment. Therefore, as you read, let it be a dialogue, and at the end, tell me what thoughts it birthed in your minds! :) However, if you do not feel comfortable, or you do not have the time, then don’t let it stop you from reading on…
Here I am, doing what I do best: procrastinating. However, this is a productive procrastination. I am taking time for myself, learning new things by means other than text books and journal articles. Although all that I am learning from classes pours into this learning, these lessons have to be done OUTSIDE of all of that in order for my schooling to be practical in my life. The other day in Systematic Theology we (certain individuals in the class and the prof, I personally did not add anything to the conversation, and you will learn why in just a minute) were discussing the importance of integration of theological concepts and our faith. Too many times we simply learn the academic and intellectual aspects of theology and the Bible without integrating them into our lives. OR, we focus too much on the experiential side of things and lack a foundation for our beliefs and actions. The balance between the two can be quite a difficult thing to achieve. One of the ways we achieve this balance is by being aware of the challenge. However, our discussion did not lend any further assistance in this area. (ok, ONE MORE MINUTE and then you will find out why I did not participate in the discussion..) I would have loved for the discussion to have gone deeper and even if we did not come up with any more conclusions, I would have loved to have come up with some more questions concerning this topic. Questions keep my mind thinking about things, and they cause my thoughts to go deeper into the real issues. I can’t believe I am going to say this, BUT, Plato may have had something right in that the way to find an answer to a question is to ask another question. (ok, so maybe i have already learned something in my philosophy class. but don’t be expecting anymore lessons from phil351.)
Ok, here is what you have all been waiting for … the reason(s) I had no part in the class discussion. The class is Systematic Theology. Even for those of you who have no idea what the class holds, you have an appreciation for the academic prestige the title holds. However, there are some students in the class who have no idea what the world of theology has to offer. I have been in several theology classes before this semester (which is good considering this is my last semester and I am majoring in theology …), but obviously some students in this class have not. Theology goes beyond the basic “Sunday School” answer to dig deep and discover the real answers, or at least to discover that you will only end up with more questions. However, these questions give you a deeper understanding of the mystery we call God. (Have i mentioned that I LOVE theology?!) During this discussion, students kept raising their hands and giving “S.S.” answers. I was quite frustrated and amazed at the professor’s gentle spirit in responding to them. As I was reflecting on this tonight, I realized that God’s response is like that of my professor’s. God is not going to refute their comments (as I would have..), but God gently says, “Come deeper.” God wants us to study and learn and contemplate his being. But he is not going to shove it in our faces. It has to be something that we desire, and that we are willing to do. We have to be willing to let go of our “S.S” answers for a little while and let our faith be vulnerable. ”Faith does not grow in the house of certainty” (The Shack by William P. Young). That’s the thing about faith — it’s not something you can be certain of because of a pile of evidence, but it is something that you are certain of because, well, that’s another topic. Let’s leave it at this for now: faith is something that is birthed inside you by the Holy Spirit but grows as you learn to trust in something that is higher than you. As you learn to trust in this higher being, you are able to let go of your “S.S” answers because, quite frankly, they exist to comfort you in your lack of understanding of God. We will never be able to fully understand God during this life, but that does not mean we cannot or should not try. When you decide to take this journey, and realize you will never be satisfied with your pitiful answers to deep issues, then you will begin to find much more meaningful answers, as well as deeper questions. However, your “S.S” answers will always be there to turn to. When you get discouraged just remember that “Jesus is the answer,” but don’t stay there forever. Keep moving. Don’t ever stay where you are, spiritually or intellectually. Understanding God on an intellectual level can do wonders for your spiritual life.
I pray that God will open your mind and your heart to know God in new ways.
Until next time,
Katie
PS I realized that I forgot to mention anything related to the title of my post. yes, I could have just changed it, but I really liked what I wanted to say about it. haha. So here goes: Today as I was sitting in class (Systematic Theology was yesterday), someone raised their hand and said something that not only did not add to the discussion, but was totally ridiculous and did not apply to the context of our discussion. At that moment, I wished that I had a sign that said, “FAIL” (you’ve seen the pictures of people doing dumb things that say “FAIL”). However, I realized that God is not so much concerned with our failures, as with our successes. God would have responded to the spectacular things said by other members of the class with a huge sign that says, “SUCCESS.” So, instead of looking for times to hold up my mental “FAIL” sign, I am going to look for opportunities to hold up my sign that says, “SUCCESS.” I already held one up today … http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_4191_women_ministry.cfm
Matthew, ECRU? I have never heard that word. ever. kinda scared that you have…haha! jkjk
Anyway, I have been basking in this great environment while doing some laundry, lots of homework, and a little bit of cleaning. I haven’t gotten as much hw or cleaning done as I would have liked, but I’m ok with that. 