Perspective

Two weeks ago, I began my fourth semester at seminary. I am just two years away from my Masters of Divinity!!! ...but that's another story.

Also two weeks ago, I began working as an intern pastor at my church. My focus is in the area of pastoral care. The very first day I began working, a call had come in about a church member's father-in-law (I'll call him Ed) who had just been admitted in a local heart center in pretty rough shape. So, I went to the hospital as soon as I heard and met Ed and some of his family. This man loved Jesus and was very clear on that. I talked with Ed and his family while he ate his lunch and then before I left I offered to pray for them. They welcomed it and Ed held his hand out for me to take. I prayed with them and then said my good byes and headed for the door. Just before I left the room, Ed said, "God bless you". I talked with his daughter-in-law at church that Sunday. She thanked me for coming but had to admit that Ed didn't remember me being there. That's ok, because I will certainly remember him.

Thursday, I had a theology class. We were discussing a book that we are reading. We talked about how we interpret revelation, the tone the scriptures were written in and how that affects our interpretation, on and on. I'm not a big one for debates because they don't seem to get anyone anywhere. So, I sit in class and listen, occassionally share something but when it turns into debate, I step back. That same day, we had a guest speaker who talked about the Bible and how to interpret it and the things that affect our interpretation.

The day before this class, I had seen an urgent prayer request concerning Ed. He was entering into "end of life" care. My schedule would not allow me to just go up to the heart center, so I waited until Thursday after my classes. When I got there, I talked with our church member in the lobby. She told me the family had been there for two days just waiting. They were physically and emotionally spent. I went into the room to see Ed. No longer conscious I was still able to talk with his family and pray for all of them. I held Ed's hand and remembered our last visit. As I walked out to my car, tears in my eyes, I began to think about that theology class. I remembered the debates and the theories...then I thought of the man I had just left who was about to go to the true reality. Eternity in the kingdom of God. Suddenly, the theories and wisdom of this world seemed very trivial. I got to my car and looked up into the sky, the wind was blowing my hair and the sky was so blue. The beauty and reality of God was so strong.

Looks very similar to what I saw

This is why I am going to seminary. This is why I want to nestle into the arms of God. This is why I don't see death as such a bad thing. This is why I'm so in love with my God. He is so real, so true, and so awesome. Nothing on this earth can compare to Him. Everything on this earth we can experience with our senses is temporary, but He is forever.