One of the only negative memories I have from my undergrad is a certain class I took. Surprisingly, it was a leadership class. I swear the entire course could have been taught in a weekend, and I'm sure I still wouldn't have remembered anything. In the professor's defense, it was his first time teaching it. I think it'd been thrown at him and I heard it got way better in the coming years.
During those four months the fact that a teacher was teaching something he didn't seem to grasp troubled me. Leadership for ministry majors is like learning the 5 basic sauces for culinary students. It's foundational.
Thinking about that experience earlier today set the context for these words tonight:
"You're Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and you don't even understand these things?" (John 3:10)
Story #2
On a recent walk with a friend I somehow made a comment about the Holy Spirit being so much more active than we ever imagine. In that moment, I thought about disciples healing the sick, and how I'm afraid to even try to pray over someone at work who's barely standing, or I don't continue to evangelize for whatever reason. (Fear is often the best and most effective demotivator.) I had to ask myself, "You're a pastor, and you don't even understand these things?"
Thanks, Jesus.
There are plenty of things I can get away with knowing very little about. For instance, predestination or free will? Whatever you want is fine with me. Just know that it will directly impact how you interact with non-Christians.
But there are some things I just can't get away with, like the reality of the Holy Spirit and what its role in the world is. Beyond that, actually living in that truth instead of just intellectually assenting is the step that proves real knowledge, heart knowledge. It's what makes a person say, "You understand these things."
I'll never say that every Christian, not even a pastor, needs to know everything. But there are things that each Christian should understand: creation, fall and redemption are prime examples. And I don't expect each Christian to explain these the same way, but they are integral to the story.
What I've learned so far is as a follower of Jesus Christ I need to continue learning, seeking, asking, wrestling and growing so that when I'm in a tough spot, I'm not faced with, "and you don't even understand these things?" And when I am faced with that question, my hope is that it won't be because I was lazy.
What do you do to continue growing in faith and knowledge?
5 comments:
I can say that 28% of my anxiety stems from fear. Fear of what?? who knows? I am still trying to find the answer to that question. Fear is probably the worst thing that could happen to me.
Wait, why am I talking about fear again??? THAT'S RIGHT: "What do you do to continue growing in faith and knowledge?" That's why. I indirectly choose to stop myself from growing in faith and knowledge because I FEAR it. I dont know why to be honest. Just like one of those things where you realize that after 10 years of not being at the beach and you finally go, you realize how much you hated it as a kid.
We've all heard the cliche "knowledge is power" but if we have too much power (brought on by immense knowledge) do we not in turn become greedy??
hmmmmm so many questions
Anna - Psychologists say anxiety is a cousin of fear. What anxiety doesn't stem from fear?
I don't think more knowledge leads to greediness. Then again, if it's just knowledge it could become a pride thing. But maybe knowledge needs to be coupled with humility and wisdom; that would ward off the pride and make appropriate use of the knowledge.
Are you saying you had some faith and/or knowledge encounter that was so bad you don't want to return to it? Do tell.
Dan,
I hear there's this class at Northern called "Life in the Spirit"...
Jean - Ah, if only I had the spare credit hours. ;) You'll have to fill me in.
"Are you saying you had some faith and/or knowledge encounter that was so bad you don't want to return to it? Do tell."
OH YES!!!
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