For those of you who have an RSS feed from this blog, and those who check in from time to time, I’m back! The last year has been extremely stressful, largely due to the unexpected demands of a new graduate program in the philosophy of history (or in political theory), and a personal research project for a conference presentation. I did nothing last summer about caring for either my home or my garden and flower beds, and it really showed this spring! The list of small repair jobs around the house has items on it nearly two years old. So. . . this summer I have tried to resist all pressure to begin new academic projects and focus on catching up.
Today, however, I realized how essential relationships are. I had two providential appointments. First, a graduate student from Chicago contacted me about questions concerning our graduate program in philosophy of history. On a hunch I suggested that we meet and talk face to face. He agreed. I spend an hour on the train, then a 15-minute walk to our meeting place. I found my contact to be a deeply committed believer at the thesis stage of his MA, fearful about now launching into doctoral studies. For more than two hours we talked about school, worldviews, life experience, and God’s callings. It was a Spirit-filled encounter.
Photo bybjwebbiz
When I arrived back home, the phone rang. This was a recent graduate, frantic because of the dead ends he had encountered looking for work. Finances were critical. His was the classic cry of the heart: “Where is God in all of this? My faith has been pushed to the breaking point!” There was another 2 hours spent in the Bible and prayer–for him, for a job interview, for his children. I have all their names to add to my prayer list. He shook my hand three times before I could get to the car!
What did I accomplish today? Nothing from my list of things that must be done. Nothing from the list of administrative tasks that linger in the back of my mind (not unlike birds of prey waiting. . .) But I did make new friends, established two new relationships, encouraged two of my brothers in Christ to press on towards God’s calling. The “to-do list” seems very unimportant right now. Mary and Martha come to my mind. Jesus told the complaining Martha that Mary had chosen the better part. I understand. I think I sat as the feet of Jesus today as I listened to my new friends.
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