In our last Missional Moment, we took time to highlight the angst and struggle that, though common to all students and professors, finds poignant expression in the daily realities of a Christ-following professor.
Why?
Well, because without embracing this reality one might be tempted to shrink back from living for the grander story.
Or one might desperately search for vain hope in idols, like a CV, that will never be able to rescue, or provide life.
Or one might sadly even lose all hope that there is a grander story.
We need to embrace that difficulties, of all varieties, personal and academic, that characterize God’s story in which we live, for the moment anyway, in as “broken people in a broken-down house.”
In this case, as many say, “reality is our friend.” True, but we all understand that while reality is our friend, it can’t be your only friend. Hardship is hardly the only reality, and certainly is not the closing act, of God’s grander story.
Living for the Closing Act of God's Grander Story
As we labor to live faithfully the days God has given us, His grander story daily assures us with the change-everything news that in the end God triumphs. This motivated the Apostle Paul to conclude, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the world of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Cor 15:58).
The Christian academic finds daily strength and joy in knowing that his labor is not in vain. Everything: from the smallest unnoticed deed done for a student, to the largest grant proposal or journal publication – everything – will not be in vain if it is done as “the work of the Lord.”
A Christian academic finds ultimate meaning and significance in the news that God has gifted her, called her to a specific realm of knowledge and a locale, and has specific plans to use her to be a part of his kingdom plan to bless and redeem the world.
This is no byline of a story; this is the story.
And though this story likely includes seasons of trials and tears, an academic life offered to God, and lived for God, is assured of triumph and ultimate significance due to its faith-filled role in God’s grander story.
God invites you, as an academic, to be part of his forever-relevant, forever-soul-satisfying, and forever- ultimately-glorious plan to bring the hope of Jesus Christ to the world.
Being assured of a satisfying end changes everything; it is like watching a replay of a football game, knowing at the kickoff which team wins, or reading a murder mystery, aware from the first chapter who did it.
Twin realities indubitably characterize our role in God’s story: we strive and labor, AND we find great hope and encouragement that our efforts in his work will ultimately never be for naught. What encouragement and motivation is found in this Grander Story.
Rick Hove and Heather Holleman