Done with a False Dichotomy

I have noticed a recurring theme running throughout several conversations I have had over the last few years.  I have spent a lot of time thinking about this theme, talking with other trusted friends and leaders, and trying to wrap my head around this phenomenon.

The false dichotomy of either having to 100% agree with everything an author or speaker has to say.

Photo by Joel Muniz on Unsplash

Background: A few years ago, I was herding cats (aka parenting my three young boys) when I received a text from a friend.  As I had previously posted about my enjoyment of a popular author’s book, this friend want to inform me about a theological stance this author had recently made public.  My friend wanted to ensure that I knew so I could publically disavow (ie. remove prior blog posts, put up a Facebook post) this author and all of her writings.  I didn’t.  I don’t have to agree 100% with everything any author or speaker writes to still believe that they have valuable knowledge and wisdom to share.  I didn’t even realize that for some people, 100% agreement was not only important, but mandatory.

This seems to be a recurring conversation.  I have had this conversation so many times that I often feel the need to preface an author recommendation with “I don’t agree with everything s/he says, but…” just to cut it off at the pass.

So here is my full disclosure so I need not keep having this conversation:

I believe that this false dichotomy (false– not true……dichotomy– division into two mutually exclusive, opposed, or contradictory groups) is something to delve into.  We have become more and more segregated within our  culture (politically, socially, etc) and this has leeched into our religious settings as well.  This had been on very vivid display over the last 12 months.  No longer can people hold varied views on theological issues, but instead we are quick to place people into “right” or “wrong” camps, those that are inside our preconceived boxes and those who are outside the box.  Rarely do we ever think we may be the ones in the wrong.  That maybe we are the ones with the incorrect or incomplete theology.  Now, I believe that we can firmly say, “This is my belief based on my interpretation of Scripture” which allows for others to have another belief without compromising our own, and that this actually stimulates conversation.  It is good and true and important.  But this instantly demonizing a person who believes differently about an aspect of theology, of tossing the “heretic” label around (and be sure you actually understand what this term means before slapping it on someone’s forehead), of discounting that person’s Christianity because it doesn’t look exactly like I want it to look– I am done with that.

Done with demanding that other people’s spiritual lives mirror my white middle class existence.  Done with demanding that other people toe my spiritual line, like I had a right to draw it in the sand to begin with.  Done with the “Did you hear about…” and “Can you believe what she…”.  Just done.

What am I not done with?

1. Reading broadly and widely.  One thing I learned in university is that through reading, I can be exposed to thoughts and ideas far beyond my own knowledge and experience.   I often say to my high school students, “Read authors you know you will disagree with”.  There is nothing challenging about reading something that affirms what you already know- that is a waste of time.  Read books that challenge you and make you think hard.  That leads directly to–
2. Be a critical thinker. Many people seem to believe that to read a book, or to enjoy and learn from a book, means that you 100% agree with all ideas within said book.  This is poppycock.  I have never read a book and agreed 100% with any author.  I don’t agree 100% about everything with anyone, even my husband.  Part of the reading process is taking in new knowledge and weighing it against what you already know.  You can then remain unchanged, you can modify your ideas, or your ideas can be transformed.  This is the process of learning.  You, however, are in charge of that process.  It is not an existential process that happens without your approval or participation.  Think critically about everything that passes through your brain.  It will make you a better person.
3. Being unified with people who I disagree with, even on important matters.   When it comes down to it, there are core doctrines that are non-negotiable.  Beth Moore described these as the “spine issues”- those things that keep the body of Christ erect.  These include the divinity of Christ, the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ, etc.  There are a whole bunch of “rib issues” as well, those things that give structure to the body of Christ, but which are often debatable.  The issue is that many people have made some of those rib issues into spine issues. When that happens, we draw battle lines over disagreements and we are quick to condemn those who think differently.  We are called to more.  We are called to unity, not conformity, within the body of Christ.  That means that there is room for the Pentecostals, the Baptists, the Mennonites, the (fill-in-the-blank-with-preferred-denomination) here.  We will think differently about some things, but as a wise mentor once told me, “We agree on way more than we disagree on.  We just have a tendency to forget that.”

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

So this false dichotomy of either having to 100% agree with everything or nothing an author or speaker has to say– let’s just say no to that line of thinking.  Let’s hold each other to be critical thinkers who are capable of nuanced thinking and conversations. Let’s purpose to be better together.

A Holy Work Indeed

There are a lot of books out on deconstructing faith. The common premise is that the faith of one’s youth must be taken apart so that it can be rebuilt into something that works better for life as an adult. I don’t disagree with this notion. There is a lot to be said about the years where one reevaluates, thoughtfully considers, and makes the hard choices on what needs to stay and what needs to go. There are a lot of things that I believed as a child that I no longer believe as an adult. That is the way of growing up. Of maturing. Of recognizing that the faith of cartoon animals on the nursery walls does not hold up to the rigours of adulthood. Of recognizing that I misunderstood something with my childish knowledge. I believe that there is something healthy and productive about the teen/young adult/not-so-young adult doing the hard work of wrestling with the various beliefs that make up one’s faith. This is good work. Holy work. This is work not meant to be sidelined or mocked or demonized. This is necessary work done in conjunction with the Holy Spirit as an immature childhood faith becomes a maturing adult faith.

This holy work doesn’t let up. I distinctly remember a woman I greatly respect and love, coming to me to share how, after 85 years of living and loving Jesus, she had learned something life changing. Her words to me are etched in my brain- “I had it wrong. For decades, I had it wrong. But no longer.” The Holy Spirit had convicted her about the role of women in the church, and she was open and willing to learn. I want to embody that same spirit-

The spirit that refuses to believe that “having it all figured out” is the purpose of faith.

The spirit that recognizes the tug of the Holy Spirit in my heart and in my head.

The spirit that recognizes the mystery of God and that there are things I will never fully understand.

The spirit that recognizes that faith is a lifelong journey.

The spirit that remains teachable to other people and to the world around me.

The spirit that thirsts to be more like Jesus, knowing that I will never quite get there until the day I see Him face to face.

Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash

This deconstructing and reconstructing is not only a personal endeavour, it is also a communal endeavour. The working out of our faith was never meant to be done alone, or as my husband frequently says, “Alone in the broom closet with your Bible.” No, it was meant to be done surrounded by our faith communities, by others who are either not as far or are farther along on the journey of faith. The questions we ask are not new or uncommon, they are just new to us. And that means that others have been thinking and working through those same questions for years. Lucky us, when we realize that we are not alone and that there are others who are in the same process of building and rebuilding.

Every day we are working to build a faith that will stand the test of time and the ravages of our daily lives here on earth. Do not be disuaded if you are engaging in this work. This is holy work indeed.

The Waiting- A Holy Saturday Musing

I have always found this Holy Saturday, the one that exists between the overwhelming grief of Good Friday and the all-encompassing celebration of Easter Sunday, is a paradox.  The sadness of what we remembered yesterday-Jesus’ betrayal, beating, and horrific death on the cross- has not yet subsided.  The joy that we know tomorrow holds is present, but not fully realized.  So this is the day where the grief and the joy are held in tension.  I am highly aware that anguish and joy are co-conspirators in this amazing reality that we remember year after year.  In the midst of the darkness, there is light.  We can actually see the light more clearly because of the darkness.

Photo by Jez Timms on Unsplash

This tension of waiting, of experiencing anguish and joy simultaneously, has characterized the last number of weeks and it will continue for the foreseeable future.  The anguish of having our whole lives interrupted, of being cut off from friends and family, and of having our whole lives shrunk down, co-exists with the joy of more time with immediate family, time for connections with faraway family and friends, and gratitude for the technology that is enabling our communication.  The tension, however, remains and I think this is a good thing.

As I read in Luke this morning, about the women who remained with Jesus until the very end, I noticed something.  Luke 23:56 says, “Then [the women] returned and prepared spices and perfumes.  And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.”  The tension between anguish and joy exists in this verse.

The Anguish— although the women had heard Jesus’ claim that he would die but be raised from the dead, they could not deny the reality that they had seen Jesus die on that cross.  Jewish custom dictated their next moves. They wanted to honour their beloved, so they did what they could- they prepared the spices and perfumes to anoint Jesus’ body.  It was incomplete, it was not what they had hoped that they would do, but they did what they could.

Photo by Mads Schmidt Rasmussen on Unsplash

They returned and prepared— I think many of us are in this same boat right now.  We are doing what we can.  We returned home and prepared. We are schooling and entertaining our children. We are working jobs from home. We are maybe scrimping and saving because we have lost our jobs.  We are working hard to maintain communication and sanity with others.  We are doing the best that we can.  Be gracious with yourself– do what you can.  And let the rest go.

The Joy— after they had done what they could, the women rested.  They realized that they needed to experience their grief, and they gave themselves time and space to do so.  I don’t know what this looked like, but I can imagine the women together, supporting each other through the sorrow of mourning, and experiencing the joy of community and like-mindedness.  They found joy and comfort in each other.

They rested— I’m a Type A, Enneagram 1, Extrovert who rarely slows down.  There is too much to do and too many things in the world that need to be put to rights.  The admonition to rest, to take a step back from the hustle, has been a welcome switch, but still a difficult one for me.  I am horrible at resting, and in my drive to keep moving and doing, I can forfeit those relationships that are the most important to me.  Maybe you are like this too.  This Holy Saturday I want to take the time to rest, to connect with my boys, to find joy and comfort in each other in the midst of the sadness of both this Holy weekend and the current world reality.

Photo by Jesse Gardner on Unsplash

As Ben and I talked this morning about the many changes that have happened over the past weeks, we discussed things that feel weird and awkward.  One we have struggled with the most is online video communication.  It still feels bizarre, even though I have to spend hours a day doing it.  This type of communication is a shadow of what was and what will be.  Ben wisely commented that it’s likely best if this connection remains feeling awkward.  If we don’t get too comfortable with the poor imitation of the ideal.  If we can still retain our desire for in-person community and conversation.  If we can allow ourselves to remain in the tension of what is and what we know will one day be again.

I want to leave you with this encouragement:

“Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.” Psalm 31:24

May you have a wonderful Holy Saturday, leaning into the tension, and remembering that Sunday is coming.

 

Into the Unknown

Over Christmas holidays, we went as a family, along with two of my sisters-in-law and my niece, to Frozen II.  You would think that I would be the most excited about going to the movie- nope.  That crown went to Ben.  He is a kindred spirit with Elsa, and he loves everything about the movies.  After we came out, he promptly downloaded the movie soundtrack onto our Family Playlist.  My favourite song is Into the Unknown by Idina Menzel (although the Panic at the Disco version is a close second).

Anyone else feel like Into the Unknown should be the theme music that is playing in the background of life right now?  Everything feels so tipsy-turvey, upside down right now.  I am a typical Type A-extrovert who, although I am enjoying the downtime, is struggling with the unknown and lack of control that is characterizing life in the moment.

We’ve been pulled from our usual routines and thrust into the unknown.  Suddenly, Ben and I are homeroom (plus all the specialities) for a Gr 2, Gr 5, and Gr 7.  Even as a teacher (one who has taught Gr 7 before), this is still daunting.  For all of those non-teacher parents out there, this is enough to make even trained professionals a little apprehensive.  I am still waiting to hear what will be expected of me as a high school teacher for my classes.  Hopefully by tomorrow we will know what’s happening and I can make a plan for next week.  Then I’ve got to figure out all the tech to make that plan work (and if you know me, you’ll know that tech and are frenemies on the best days).

BUT…

In the midst of all the uncertainty, in the midst of the unknown that seems to creep outside of our windows and doors, there is a certainty that we cannot discount at this time.  We trust in God, the maker and creator of all things, who holds time in his hands.  We have been working with the boys through Philippians each evening, learning about where our joy comes from.  We have taken to heart the following:

We will have joy…regardless that life doesn’t look the same as normal.

We will have joy…even though we do not get to see our friends or participate in activities we had looked forward to

We will have joy…which is based on our perspective of life, not on our life circumstances

We will have joy…even when everything around us seems scary and uncertain

We will have joy…because our hope is in the Lord, and he will always care for us, regardless of the outcomes here on earth

One of the spiritual practices that has become increasingly important to us in the past week is developing a practice of gratitude.  Every supper, we go around the table saying one thing that we are thankful for that day.  It can be big or little, but this practice allows us to remain grounded in the blessings that we do have, even when life seems unfair or uncertain.  I highly recommend everyone develop this practice, taking the time to write them down to look back on.  3 things written down a day turns into almost 1000 in a year.  1000 things to be grateful for.

I don’t know what tomorrow will hold, much less a week, month, or year from now.  And as much as it feels like we’re walking into the unknown, I am very thankful that I am walking into the unknown with Ben and the boys.  With family and friends connecting through tech over distances and time.  With a faith that holds firm to the one who knows all outcomes and who holds us in the palm of his hand.  In that light, the unknown isn’t as unknown as it feels.

How are you holding up?

 

 

Photo by Simon Maage on Unsplash

2020 Word of the Year: MORE

I can’t remember when I first heard about picking a word of the year rather than New Year’s resolutions, but ever since, I have switched my mindset about setting goals.  Some of the words I have chosen over the years include Dwell, Abide, Still, Trust, and Eucharisteo (thanksgiving in Greek).  Often those words defined the year that I spent meditating and focusing on them, even before the year’s events played out.  God is funny that way.

For more on choosing a word of the year, and to hear other Christian leaders explain their 2020 words, watch this video from See Hear Love, a Christian women’s online channel with Melinda Estabrooks.  It’s also Canadian, so that’s an extra bonus.

This year, I have chosen the word: MORE

As I mentioned last post, I have spent the past 6 months trying to edit anything and everything possible from my life.  This didn’t have the expected, or hoped for, results.  So I will try the opposite.  Instead of pursing less, I want more, but more of things that are life-giving, rather than life-draining.  I have three areas that I am looking to focus on:

1. More Nature

A year and a half ago, we invested in building a front deck.  It is my absolute favourite spot in our whole house.  I spend hours out there in the summer, but winter in Canada makes getting outside more difficult (especially as I hate being cold).

So my goal is to be outside more.  Whether it’s a walk around the block after school or heading out for a quick walk to the lake over lunch hour, I want to prioritize having sun on my face and breathing fresh air.  I know it will make a difference for my mental health; I just need to plan for it and schedule it in.  It’s only 5 more months til I will be back enjoying this deck.

2. More Writing/Reading

I am excited to be back at this hobby I have missed.  I thought being creative in the classroom would be enough, but it hasn’t been.  I have done little writing since I finished my Master’s thesis, and it has been even longer since I have engaged in non-academic writing. This just feels right. And fun. And exhilarating.  I am excited to put pen to paper, fingers to keyboard, and to share my thoughts.

3. More Intentional Time with Friends and Family

My goal this year is to prioritize time spent with my family and friends.  I have three very special women who have been my best friends for almost 25 years and I don’t spend as much time with them as I want to.  That will change.  Ben has encouraged me to make plans and be more regular in visiting each other.  We all have kids and jobs that make getting together more complicated, but it is worth the planning.  Time spent with women who love me unconditionally (and they were with me through the 90s hair and fashion) and who challenge and encourage me spiritually, as well as mentally and emotionally; these are friendships worth cultivating.

I will also be more intentional with my time spent with my family.  I was reminded that we only have 18 summers/years with our children- my oldest is almost a teenager and the days are limited.  I want to take advantage of every possible day.

So this is what I hope the year of 2020 looks like- more nature, more writing, more time with friends and family.  You can never have too much of a good thing.

 

Untold Riches

I don’t know exactly what we were thinking 14 years ago when we decided June 22 was a good day for a wedding.  Hindsight is 20/20.  Without fail, our anniversary always falls during exam week and we spend our anniversary at the table, Ben marking true and false questions while I work my way through the essays.

Whoever planned Father’s Day for the end of June was also not a teacher/married to a teacher.  June, especially the last couple weeks, are too crazy for any intense celebrating and we usually default to celebrating Father’s Day in the summer.  This year, we sneaked it in just before school started again.

We treated Ben to a pancake breakfast, (mostly) uninterrupted alone time to watch football, and family dessert at Le Macaron.  We love him wholeheartedly and he loves us with a servant heart that I have never before seen.  Happy belated (or as T says, fake) Father’s Day, my love.

Throughout the day, the boys kept asking for what we call “cardboard cookies”. Think the bright pink and cream wafer cookies that we all remember from our childhoods.  They look like cardboard, taste like cardboard, and for some reason, my kids love them.  I spent the day today baking chocolate chip cookies and banana muffins from scratch, and guess which ones they asked for.  Go figure.

I knew that we were going to Le Macaron (a fantastic gourmet dessert shoppe) after supper, so I kept telling the boys to wait, something better was coming.  There were tears and constant questions, bargaining as they tried to finagle their way into eating cardboard.  The most exquisite desserts were waiting for them, ones they would have to do nothing to earn or pay for, except being my kids and I had a gift card to spend on them (and Ben).

It reminded me of C.S. Lewis’ quote-

“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” (The Weight of Glory)

 

Too often, I am like the boys.  I think I know what I want, and that my heart’s desire is the fulfillment of my every need.  What I have not seen, however, is everything that God desires to bless me with which is abundantly better than what I often want.  My unwillingness to wait, or to live in the tension that waiting demands, blinds me to the promise of hope deferred.

We anesthetize ourselves with everything we can think of- food, tv, anger, selfies- to keep ourselves from having to be real with ourselves, our family and friends, and ultimately with our God.  We think it will be too much to bear if we fully committ to transparency and vulnerability.  We instead opt for fake vulnerability and fake Instagram comments that make us feel better while we fool only ourselves.

Isn’t it awe-inspiring that the God of the universe, the One who sang you into existence, desires only your good.  The temptation comes in wanting to dictate to God what that good looks like because we think we can ensure freedom from hurt and pain and loss.  But those are often gifts from God, drawing us closer to Him.

So, let’s purposefully and with intention, remember that God has infinitely more for us than we can ever hope or imagine.  We have a holiday at the sea, or desserts at Le Macaron, waiting for us if we don’t allow ourselves to get sidetracked with poor imitations.  Put down the cardboard cookie, there is something so much better waiting for you.

A Constant Refocusing

If my life had a soundtrack, the song “Be Thou My Vision” would be the first single.  When Payton unexpectedly ended up in isolation after he was born, when we had doctors and nurses telling us to prepare ourselves because babies with Group B Strep as bad as Payton had it usually die, “Be Thou My Vision” was the one song that I could think to sing as I sat beside his bassionet.  I reached my hand through the portal and sang that song over and over as tears streamed down my face.  In the face of the possible death of this little person who I had carried close to my heart for nine months, the words became my prayer- that in the midst of everything, regardless of what happened- my vision would remain fixed on God.

Nine (almost 10!) years later, this song remains one of my favourites.  Whenever I get sidetracked in life or when I am frustrated, I circle back to this life anthem-

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

I admit that my frustrations often stem from walking the Christian journey.  Christians are not exempt from dealing with problems, and often these problems are of our own making.  I have spent my whole life in church (many churches to be exact) and other Christian communities and I would want it no other way, but recognizing that being in community is important doesn’t make me blind to the problems that are inherent when you put together a group of humans to try and do life together.  There are times when I just want to throw in the towel and strike out on a solitary journey.

But…but… “God is faithful to us and among us and despite us.” (Melissa Moore-Entrusted)

This has been running through my head today as I contemplate doing life in community.  Regardless of what problems we run in to, and we will run in to plenty because humans are humans, God remains faithful to His purpose and the building His kingdom.  It is easy to get sidetracked, but the focus of our vision must remain Christ if we are to be effective in fulfilling our purpose.

So, I hope that whatever you are encountering- whether it is loss or heartache or betrayal or frustration- that you will take the time to refocus on Christ.  It is through Him that we live and breathe and move, and through His power that we continue to walk this Christian journey.  It’s a wonderful delayed hope, knowing that the last verse of the song rings true-

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’n’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whate’er befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

For a stunning rendition of “Be Thou My Vision” by Audrey Assad, click here.

The Lost Art of Female Mentorship

Much attention has been paid in the past few years to men disliking the church. I have a secret to share: many women don’t like it all that much either. For many women, church has become a place to get dressed up for, to get an hour of peace during Sunday school, or to attend because it is expected. Why are women seeing the church more as work or a place to be seen than as a caring, nurturing community? I believe the answer lies in Titus 2:3-5 and the lost art of female mentorship.

In Titus, God lays out a blueprint for female mentorship. Older women are supposed to teach and mentor the younger women. It seems simple enough, but why is mentorship a rarity rather than the norm? Mentorship, by it’s very nature, encourages vulnerability and openness with each other. That’s not easy for women. We live in a society that places greater emphasis on how we look and the image that we project than on our character. Mentorship forces women out of their comfort zones and together to learn to share life. That is the meaning of community, and ladies, too many of us are missing out. Mentorship also causes us to go deeper in our relationship with Christ as we reveal our real selves to each other with an attitude of humility that can save others from making our same mistakes.

Titus 2:3-5 gives us a plan for embracing mentorship and all it’s benefits:

• Be a woman of the Word. Engage in personal bible study, but be willing to learn in community so that others can learn with you and from you. Make this a priority.

• Look for opportunities to be in the “older woman” shoes. No one needs or wants you to be perfect. In fact, the less perfect you present yourself the easier it is for us to relate to you. A listening ear, a cup of coffee, and an offer to pray with a younger woman can make the hardest day bearable. Many are away from their natural mothers, so look for those women. “Younger women”- look to fill those shoes for the students and teens you see around you. Don’t let the label of mentor be off putting. You can make the difference in someone else’s life.

• Be willing to be the “younger woman”. Look for someone who has dealt with the same issues you are dealing with and be willing to ask them for advice. Be teachable. Be candid. Do this regardless of your age.

Christian women have the unique opportunity of being part of a network of women that teach and learn from each other. This network is only strengthened as more women look to those around them to encourage and befriend. If we choose to isolate ourselves from other women, we lose the art of female mentorship, and we lose women from the church. Female mentorship may take many different forms within different congregations, but each will focus on drawing women into closer relationships with each other and God.

First published on In the Shadow of Grace~ February 12, 2013

Grad Commencement Speech: Part 2

I love these faces.  They make me happy and they spent a good portion of their Grade 12 year making me laugh.  Getting to know amazing young men and women (or as my friend Jill calls them- Baby Adults) is one of the greatest blessings of teaching.  Having to say goodbye to amazing young men and women is one of the worst parts of teaching.

As they prepared to step out into the big wide world, I tried to narrow down everything I wanted to say to them, weeding out the extraneous to get to the most important.

Part 2:

Well, this will be my last time to teach you or give advice, and I am used to a full hour, but I will try to go quickly. I have 7 pieces of advice I’d like to leave with you, so here it goes:

1. Live, work, and love with excellence. Do more than just the bare minimum, even when you don’t want to.  Have high standards for your own behaviour and stick to them regardless of the context.
2. Look for those who need a friend. Look for those who are on the fringes and make a point to reach out to them.
3. Choose to remain in community. Keep in touch with those friends who love you and who aren’t afraid to call you on your sin issues.
4. Never make decisions out of fear- fear of what you will miss, fear of what others will think of you, fear of the unknown. Decisions made out of fear are always bad decisions. I John 4:18 says “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear”
5. Remember that every decision you make has consequences, be they good or bad. Think through all of those consequences before you made a final decision.
6. Ask questions. Ask deep, hard questions that will possibly make you uncomfortable. Cultivate a personal sense of inquiry that forces you to step out of your comfort zone. Don’t be satisfied with pat answers.  Dig deep into Scripture, talk to trusted mentors, and read lots.
7. Develop a healthy fear of God. A recognition that God is a God of justice as well as love will help you make better decisions.

Benediction

I want to end with my vision for you.  My vision is that we will hear reports of the good works that you will accomplish as you step out in faith to do the tasks that God has prepared for you before the creation of the world.  That you will go out from here knowing that the pleasures of this world cannot compare to a life lived for and an eternity lived with Christ. That you will go forth with the head knowledge and the heart understanding that you have been entrusted with the GOOD NEWS for a world full of pain and despair.  That you will take those opportunities given you to speak hope and life over lives that are broken while acknowledging your own brokenness and need for a Savior. You are not done getting prepared to live a life for God.  You are just beginning.

Go with our blessings, our love, and our prayers.  You are loved more than you can ever know by the staff, your family and friends, and by our amazing God.  Go with Him by your side.

Will you please rise and, if you would like, stretch our your hands to our graduates for a benediction-

‘“May the Lord bless you
and keep you;
²⁵ may the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
²⁶ may the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’  Amen.

I am so proud of each and every one of these (former) students and the hard work they put in to reach their goals.  I am excited to see where God will take them and how they will become world-changers.  What an exciting thing to get to see.

Grad Commencement Speech- Part 1

This past spring I was asked to give the graduation commencement speech for our Grade 12 class at the school.  To be honest, I was a little shocked and nervous.  There are other teachers/parents who are much funnier than I am and the kids know that I have a tendency to cry, so I was anxious.  But, things actually went better than I could have ever hoped for.  Over the next couple days, I will post the speech in two parts.  Hopefully it is a blessing to you.

Part 1:

One of the most commonly cited complaints I hear about Christian school is that it is a bubble.  I much prefer to look at it like greenhouse.  You have had years, some more than others, to allow your roots to go down deep into a firm Biblical understanding.  Now, you are on the verge of walking out of these doors for the last time as a student and you are being transplanted into a world that desperately needs what you have.

I was told that your class verse is Micah 6:8- “He has told you what is good and what does the Lord require of you? But to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. 

This is a big mandate and I am excited that you have chosen this verse for yourselves.  Have you thought about what this verse means in your life? I have spent some time think it through over the past weeks.

In our culture, we have a tendency to do the reverse of what the verse says.  We have a tendency to love justice, and do kindness.  We have a culture that loves to see justice dealt out, that is quickly offended when we are hurt and we love to see the people who hurt us get what they deserve.  We love to love justice when we are hurt, but are we as quick to apply that same sense of justice as we evaluate our own faults?

We do kindness when it is organized or when it is convenient.  We plan random acts of kindness days and often feel either put out or proud when we do show kindness.

This verse is actually pointing out the flipside of our natural tendencies.  We are to do justice, but we are to LOVE kindness. The hallmarks of a follower of Jesus should be kindness.  Loving kindness means that we will default to being kind to others as it will flow out of the wellspring of our hearts.  Our need for justice will diminish in our desire to be kind and merciful.  We are able to forgive those who have hurt us because we recognize that Christ has forgiven us and that living a life of kindness and mercy is much more freeing.

The last part of the verse invites us to walk humbly with our God.  Each one of you, whether you are heading to Bible college, to university or college, or choosing to take a gap year and work, have the opportunity to choose whether you will walk through the coming years with God, humbly acknowledging that He is God and you are not.  Recognizing that He has promised you wisdom and understanding if you will submit your life, will, and heart to Him.  But, as with everything in this Christian journey, it is a choice which you will have to make daily.  It is not easy, but it is so very good when you know the Creator of the universe is walking beside you.

Amy, the class Valedictorian, giving her speech

See you tomorrow for the second part of the speech.