God is teaching me a lot about community this year.
I have two sisters, 5 stepsibs (+2 ex steps), 3 sets of grandparents, 20 aunts and uncles, ~12 great-aunts and uncles... and i don't know... 25 cousins? Maybe more counting Second cousins and my cousins children...
So I have a lot of family. I think the thing about family is... we see each other, love each other, care for each other out of a necessity- even though I love all of them, and some I am quite close to, the idea of being together begins with that animal survival instinct- kinship and all that...
Then there is life group. Ministry team.. missions team... the senior class...
Cohesion and love for each other is not organic. It's awkward...
But in times of crisis and struggle, the church community is strong only because the love they have for each other is built on that greater love God has for us.
In times of joy and celebration, who else do we turn to but those people who have seen us grow and mature on a level beyond blood ties and legal/official relationships?
I think I am learning more and more the joy of being in community with my sisters and brothers in Christ. It seems so trite...
but I guess it's something I am only learning to value as it is coming to an end (in some ways). And I think I've abandoned community sometimes in exchange for self-control and isolation...
It's funny how witnessing the power of those relationships is really what I need to bring me out of that alienation.
anyway.... supposed to be studying...
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
checking in
I feel like I haven't written in a long time... but it's alright. I'm learning to think [patiently] before writing, and I've found I have less to say when I let things simmer for a bit.
but yeah- March 1st. freakin weird.
I was really glad to have spring break to just chill and actually travel for once. Beyond that, though I think I was a bit of a slacker in keeping up with everything I said I would, I feel like a lot was revealed to me about myself. In terms of where I'm going with my life... still kind of wandering aimlessly, but I'm learning to enjoy the trip :)
anyway.. cheesy little entry, then back to attempting the reading assignments for classes. I sort of forgot (-_-*)I was still in school over break somehow... so I've got a bit of catch up to do before we dive into these last two months.
but yeah- March 1st. freakin weird.
I was really glad to have spring break to just chill and actually travel for once. Beyond that, though I think I was a bit of a slacker in keeping up with everything I said I would, I feel like a lot was revealed to me about myself. In terms of where I'm going with my life... still kind of wandering aimlessly, but I'm learning to enjoy the trip :)
anyway.. cheesy little entry, then back to attempting the reading assignments for classes. I sort of forgot (-_-*)I was still in school over break somehow... so I've got a bit of catch up to do before we dive into these last two months.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Missed Call?
Some people might think I'm being stubborn saying this, but I don't believe it's necessary that because I am in college, I have been 'called to be a student.'
Honestly, I see that as cultural expectations working their way into a religious context, and that really bothers me.
Not to say that there aren't people who are called to be students. Or that studying isn't an important part of our lives.
Especially in a time when workplace ministry is becoming more and more important, I see a solid education as a useful tool. For me, it has always been a means to an end, not the goal I am striving for.
Take, for example, my admission into UM. I never said- HEY! Now that I'm going to a great university, I'm going to study so much harder to be the best student I can be. No. I thought- this will look great on a resume.
And as much as UM had been my number one, top choice, DREAM SCHOOL- it wasn't for the books, but for the opportunity it offered. And looking back, my presence here in Ann Arbor has been less useful in training me to study and focus than it has in exposing me to the world and showing me how much God is working in my life.
So, just because I say I'm not called to be a student doesn't mean I am going to blow off the work and sleep through classes (my reasons for doing that are entirely different)
It does mean however that whether I have a 4.0 or a 2.9 in less important to me than having time to spend with other people in my life.
It means I will focus better on my studies when I have a clearer idea of WHY I am studying these things.
I worry that people take that phrase- 'being called' too lightly when it comes to studies. Being called to education or engineering or business or religious work are all things we pray through and reflect on... But being called to be a good student is something we're supposed to just accept?
Maybe the problem is that we are taking these studies for granted in the first place. There are plenty of people on this planet who have thrived with out their BA or BS or PhD.
Are we really called? Or is it what is expected of us?
Honestly, I see that as cultural expectations working their way into a religious context, and that really bothers me.
Not to say that there aren't people who are called to be students. Or that studying isn't an important part of our lives.
Especially in a time when workplace ministry is becoming more and more important, I see a solid education as a useful tool. For me, it has always been a means to an end, not the goal I am striving for.
Take, for example, my admission into UM. I never said- HEY! Now that I'm going to a great university, I'm going to study so much harder to be the best student I can be. No. I thought- this will look great on a resume.
And as much as UM had been my number one, top choice, DREAM SCHOOL- it wasn't for the books, but for the opportunity it offered. And looking back, my presence here in Ann Arbor has been less useful in training me to study and focus than it has in exposing me to the world and showing me how much God is working in my life.
So, just because I say I'm not called to be a student doesn't mean I am going to blow off the work and sleep through classes (my reasons for doing that are entirely different)
It does mean however that whether I have a 4.0 or a 2.9 in less important to me than having time to spend with other people in my life.
It means I will focus better on my studies when I have a clearer idea of WHY I am studying these things.
I worry that people take that phrase- 'being called' too lightly when it comes to studies. Being called to education or engineering or business or religious work are all things we pray through and reflect on... But being called to be a good student is something we're supposed to just accept?
Maybe the problem is that we are taking these studies for granted in the first place. There are plenty of people on this planet who have thrived with out their BA or BS or PhD.
Are we really called? Or is it what is expected of us?
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