Here I sit at my kitchen table, fumbling for a spiritual seat belt so to speak. I feel like I am standing at the edge of a bridge, bungee cord strapped to my legs, blindfold on with absolutely no awareness of where I am or what will happen next. Someone is standing next to me, about to push. It’s going to be a wild ride. I’m excited – very excited, but admittedly, I am also a little nervous about what the future holds.
Yesterday was orientation day at TMS. Nathan is about to start on campus studies to complete his M.Div. We have been praying and preparing for this for several years. You might assume that yesterday morning, after a cup of coffee together, I fixed Nathan’s tie and then gave him a kiss and proudly sent him off to seminary, but this was not the case. Orientation day included an orientation for new seminary wives and while I had anticipated that our time here would be impactful, I now know I have underestimated how so. The orientation peeled away some of my preconceived ideas of what life might be like in sunny Southern California, and I am catching glimpses under the folds of my blindfold. I also have a very deep awareness of how naive I have been until this point. Enter the bungee jump analogy.
But here is the amazing thing, this nervous anticipation is not fearful. With an incredible degree of gratitude for my experience at the orientation, it is hopeful. Hopeful because of the testimony of the folks I have met here at Grace Community Church and The Master’s Seminary. Over and over again, faculty, staff, church members, current students and alumni have shared their experiences speaking confidently and powerfully to God’s grace and sovereignty in the life of the believer. Accounts of how the Lord has provided for physical needs and spiritual needs are everywhere. A pervasive, steadfast hope in Christ abounds here—exemplary hope.
The thing is, there’s something really unique here. The seminary experience is not just an academic endeavour on Nathan’s part. For both Nathan and for me, it takes place within the context of the local church. The relationship between the seminary and the church allows for students and their families to grow in profound ways as they prepare for the ministry God has prepared for them. In just one day – at the orientation, two characteristics brilliantly displayed how this takes place. Two characteristics that shone from each individual and from school and church as a whole. Faithfulness and love.
Faithfulness and love were demonstrated in how they lived out the “one anothers”, offering encouragement, support, prayer, love and kindness, and also in how they showed submission to the word of God through their obedience to Him and in their confidence in His faithfulness to us.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:23-25
Faithfulness and love flow abundantly here at TMS and Grace Community Church. I had heard this in the past, but yesterday, I witnessed it and experienced it in great measure. It is a light on a hill – A beacon of the hope that is in Christ. We are in for a wild ride, but I am not afraid – I know who is driving.
and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:5
Faithful 