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March 18, 2006
she writes again...
wow, i really dropped off the face of the blogging planet, didn't i?
a couple of updates...my second to most recent blog was about starting grad school...last august. i wrote about two girls--one named symone, the other ashley. man, God has done some amazing stuff since then. symone and i weathered all the trials of first semesterhood together...same classes, same assistantship, same "imposter" syndrome. i love that girl and i've been thoroughly encouraged by her position in my life. the second girl, ashley, well...about 1/2 through first semester, we started meeting before our theory class to read my utmost for his highest. it's made SUCH a huge difference. this semester, we've been reading captivating by stasi eldredge and whew, i have been so AMAZED and HONORED at how God has used that book and used our weekly lunch meetings to challenge me, challenge ashley, and even make huge changes in her marriage! what the heck is God doing using ME in her life? i don't know...but he is.
and, if those things are sweet and gratifying enough...last week, as a result of a pretty offensive seminar with a bunch of the faculty, ashley, my prof, susan cross, and i PRAYED in susan's office. i was blown away. yes God, you DID want me to sign up for this journey. whew!
susan has been talking a lot about how she has a strong belief that God LOVES the university. it's true you know...if you want to change the way the world thinks, the way your future policy makers, teachers, doctors, managers think, go through the university...they all do. susan has told me before that she really felt called by God to explore His creation by exploring the human mind. she feels its an act of worship and therefore counts it great joy to be a hardworking faculty member...publishing, teaching, advising, all that goes therein. i don't know if God wants me to do the same, but i have seriously been wondering if God wants me to be a part of paving the way for future Christian academicians.
i notice in many student CAMPUS ministries, the identity of student is minimized. it's like doing well in school is just a side bother, a burden, that must be endured for the sake of ministry. no! i say! i believe that God gets great glory and that many doors are opened when we are excellent in all areas of our lives...including academic scholarship. we should not fear the academic or science world. we have so much room to serve God in these arenas.
anyway, susan mentioned that back when she was in school, the Christians she knew organized a Christian academic conference on campus. i don't know if that would fly today at ISU, or where i'd get the funding, but it's definitely on my brain. i know there are Christian faculty members at ISU, it's just a matter of finding them and connecting them to students. this wouldn't be a conference on how to convert people on university campuses, but merely of how to be a light to your colleagues by being excellent, respectful, loving, and devoted. all worthy things i believe the gospel can have an avenue through.
i don't know, maybe i'm just dreaming crazy dreams, or maybe i'm way off...but i'd love to see our Christian organizations embrace students, not tell them to hurry and get their schoolwork done so they can do ministry. there is a noble ministry in academia...
Posted by Autumn at March 18, 2006 05:32 PM