Winston Churchill described the end of World War I. As the news broke of the German surrender, downtown London turned into a mass celebration:
“Streams of men and women flowed from the Embankment. They mingled with torrents pouring down the Strand on their way to acclaim the King. Almost before the last stroke of the clock had died away, the strict, war-straitened, regulated streets of London had become a triumphant pandemonium. At any rate it was clear that no more work would be done that day. Yes, the chains which held the world were broken.”
The “chains that hold the world” will be shattered at the climax of God’s grander story. Sin and death will be no more. There will be no more tears. God will one day set all things right – fully redeeming, renewing and restoring all things under Jesus our King.
Until that day that future surety should shape how we live out our moments today. As those who follow the ruling, reigning and returning King, we should seek to align our lives and our academic work to His grander story.
Recently I (Rick) have been musing on the book of Ecclesiastes. What we, in this year’s series of Missional Moments, have called “living for the Grander Story” is expressed in Ecclesiastes along the lines of “live in respect, or fear of, God during all your days under the sun.”
To “fear God” as an academic is to recognize that the ultimate story of life is not about me or my C.V.; it is about God. All of my personal and academic life rightly “has its end in God.” His story is the enduring narrative, and we anchor our passing moments in His grander story, while we cling to Him, the author of the story.
Here is our prayer as we conclude this year’s Missional Moments. Pray it with us.
Lord, may we be a generation of scholars who live in light of the grander story, following the grandest King. May we be a generation of professors who make much of You, find you satisfying all of our days, and embrace your call to be ‘the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (2 Cor. 2:15). May our identity be found in You and our work be the fruit of You working through us.
Lord, may we seize upon the moments You’ve given us, to give our lives away to be used by You in Your great plan to bless the world, for Your glory. May we be both faithful and full of faith, as we long for Your great glory to cover the earth. You are our hope and the hope of the world.
Establish the work of our hands. Yes, Lord, establish the work of our hands!
Rick Hove and Heather Holleman