So, Where Do I Go from Here?

During the past five years I have participated in a virtual Faculty Commons book study group that has greatly enriched my life and my teaching. During a recent meeting, we were asked to reflect on what we have learned by participating in this group. There was so much that came to mind:

• Through our study of Sent (Heather and Ashley Holleman), I learned that God had placed me very specifically and strategically in the classroom to minister very specifically to the students He had placed there.
• Through our study of Seated with Christ (Heather Holleman), I learned that God has already provided everything I need for this life as well as the life to come, so I don’t need to strive for acceptance or accolades from the world. I belong, I have a place, and I can rest because of this.
• Through our study of GodSpace (Doug Pollock), I learned that when I am curious about others, willing to look outside of myself and my own agendas, God will provide opportunities to love others and speak with them of the good news of Jesus.
• Through our study of A Grander Story (Heather Holleman and Rick Hove), I learned that the story of Christ and His loving work to bring us to God is the most important story of all time, and it overarches (in fact it enhances) all other stories—including my professional field of study.

So now that I’m “retired” from the university classroom, what am I supposed to do with all of this gained understanding? 

Open Hands

On a Faculty Commons trip to Italy this past spring, my comment to the leaders of the trip was that I just wanted to go with “open hands.” Whatever God had in mind for the trip, I would receive it from Him with a heart to do or say whatever He asks.  

And that is now my prayer for what is next. He has already begun to answer that prayer by sending me a young woman to mentor. She is going back into the classroom after being away for several years, and we have already begun to study the book Sent.

Entrust to Reliable People

As it was for me, she had never really understood that her true purpose for teaching was to display Christ to her students—she had only thought about how she should teach them the material. She’s very excited about learning to view her students and her role in a new way. 

2 Timothy 2:2 says, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” It seems that God is letting me know day-by-day just where I am going from here.