"All Scripture is breathed out by God and
profitable for teaching,
for reproof, for correction, and for training in
righteousness,
that the man of God may be complete, equipped
for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:17
The
day before graduation I sat around a table having tea (yes, having tea) with
seven other girls who just finished their first semester of seminary. One of the girls asked if we could go around
the table and reflect on what we learned this semester. I giggled a bit and elected to go last in order
to answer for my entire time and challenge these ladies for the semesters to
come. What I did not expect was to get
choked up at the goodness of our Father and at the amazement of the semesters to come when these ladies would be completely transformed.
Just
before I sat down with those ladies for tea, I was sitting in graduation
rehearsal and the only word I could say and think about was, "wow!"
Seems crazy but I was about to walk across a stage with a Masters degree.
If you know me, you would have never thought I was one to further my
education, I would rather be in a gym with a basketball in hand. But I
serve such a powerful, merciful, gracious Father who called me out of the gym
to such a bigger plan. See, “my” plan
was to always be a high school Physical Education teacher and coach
basketball. I never planned on
furthering my degree, let alone going to a Seminary to do so. But the Lord moves in mighty ways and calls
us all in different directions and paths than what we expect. So August 2013, straight out of college, I
started at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary focusing on Christian
Education, with the idea of going into Sports Ministry.
So,
let’s go back to that table of first semester students, and let me tell you
what I learned my three and a half years at Southeastern. I learned that no matter how you are feeling
or what you are doing, the Gospel should never feel like a burden. I have spent multiple summers serving in
different cities across the States and when I get so tired and worn out, God
shows up the most. When I tend to be in
a hurry, the Lord puts someone in my path that slows me down. When we are drained and down that’s when we
should call on Him the most. Through
prayer and devotion is when we become the most Christ-like and peaceful. But most importantly, I have learned how
important and how personal Christ’s love and death is for me and that the greatest call of all is to show that love to all we come in contact with. This is what Jesus truly
meant in Matthew 28, when he said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end
of the age.”
During
orientation Dr. Akin challenges us all to take advantage of this opportunity
and to use this time wisely because when we are done, we are done and are sent
out to use what we have learned in full time ministry/career. So, as Dr. Akin now comes to a close and challenges
the graduates, he asks a question that hits home. He asks us if it is
okay that he shares the Gospel in his speech tomorrow, but he then takes it a
step further and asks how many of us would give up our diploma if it meant that
just one person in the crowd became a believer in Christ. Every single
hand shot up. I honestly teared up and thought to myself, “wow”, having
this piece of paper means nothing when I stand in front of my Savior one
day! This is what it means to live out
the Great Commission. Before
Southeastern, I did not really know what this meant. But after being apart of a Great Commission
Seminary, I leave with the thought in mind to constantly be living out the
Gospel and focusing on sharing the Good News with all I come in contact with. So whether you are in Seminary, College, High
School, or whatever walk of life, do not let the Gospel be a burden but a
method in which you live daily. Be “complete,
equipped, for every good work.”
“For
me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Philippians 1:21
