Part of my testimony
When I left high school for college, I had certain high expectations. Even given some physical limitations, I had done well balancing curricular and extra-curricular life so far. Why should I not be able to in college, also?
With my new, portable typewriter--my graduation gift from my parents--and Roget's Thesaurus--a gift from my sister--I made my way to the college of my choice. I signed up for a significant course load and a number of extra-curricular activities. My dad was working close enough that I could go home to the family farm on weekends if I chose to. Life looked set for me.
But what I had been able to handle in high school proved to be too much for me in college. In the vernacular, I had bitten off more than I could chew and found myself on the less desirable form of deans' list (academic probation). But I didn't heed the warning signs.
Then in the second semester of my freshman year, my dad told me something I had never considered possible.
The company he had worked for for more than 20 years had been purchased by another. He had been offered a transfer to the new company's place on the east coast, but after he prayed and considered it, he decided to leave the company. He was going to farm full-time, and at some distance from where the college was, on a different farm.
Both shoes had fallen. My world was changed, and I could not handle it.
Oh, I went back for my sophomore year, but that was worse than my freshman year. I left, on probation, before the year was over. Humbled, in tears, driven by my parents to their new farm home, I had no expectations of grace. But God provided me with pastoral and parental counsel. And physical rest I so needed.
After some weeks, I went back to look for work in the city. I didn't know if I would ever be allowed back in college. I had some growing up to do, in any case.
After some time, the college graciously permitted me to return. There were, of course, limitations. I had to get my grades up, so fewer courses at a time were permitted. The level of extra-curricular involvement was also limited. I was so thankful to be given a second opportunity that I was willing to agree to the "new realities."
Then, somewhere along the first year back, I came across this passage, and it did make me see things differently from before:
"For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, 'I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.' Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men....But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, 'LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD'" (1 Corinthians 1:18-25, 30-31).
I had been foolish, even as one who was being saved, in my impudent expectations. I had not considered that with Jesus as my Sovereign Lord and Savior. I had no right to expect things to go on as before. I had so much need to grow in His grace and in the knowledge of Him and His Word.
I look back with gratitude at the grace He extended to me both then and in subsequent years.
As Paul wrote to the Philippians: "Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12-14).
With my new, portable typewriter--my graduation gift from my parents--and Roget's Thesaurus--a gift from my sister--I made my way to the college of my choice. I signed up for a significant course load and a number of extra-curricular activities. My dad was working close enough that I could go home to the family farm on weekends if I chose to. Life looked set for me.
But what I had been able to handle in high school proved to be too much for me in college. In the vernacular, I had bitten off more than I could chew and found myself on the less desirable form of deans' list (academic probation). But I didn't heed the warning signs.
Then in the second semester of my freshman year, my dad told me something I had never considered possible.
The company he had worked for for more than 20 years had been purchased by another. He had been offered a transfer to the new company's place on the east coast, but after he prayed and considered it, he decided to leave the company. He was going to farm full-time, and at some distance from where the college was, on a different farm.
Both shoes had fallen. My world was changed, and I could not handle it.
Oh, I went back for my sophomore year, but that was worse than my freshman year. I left, on probation, before the year was over. Humbled, in tears, driven by my parents to their new farm home, I had no expectations of grace. But God provided me with pastoral and parental counsel. And physical rest I so needed.
After some weeks, I went back to look for work in the city. I didn't know if I would ever be allowed back in college. I had some growing up to do, in any case.
After some time, the college graciously permitted me to return. There were, of course, limitations. I had to get my grades up, so fewer courses at a time were permitted. The level of extra-curricular involvement was also limited. I was so thankful to be given a second opportunity that I was willing to agree to the "new realities."
Then, somewhere along the first year back, I came across this passage, and it did make me see things differently from before:
"For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, 'I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.' Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men....But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, 'LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD'" (1 Corinthians 1:18-25, 30-31).
I had been foolish, even as one who was being saved, in my impudent expectations. I had not considered that with Jesus as my Sovereign Lord and Savior. I had no right to expect things to go on as before. I had so much need to grow in His grace and in the knowledge of Him and His Word.
I look back with gratitude at the grace He extended to me both then and in subsequent years.
As Paul wrote to the Philippians: "Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12-14).
posted by Ebeth | 8:25 AM
1 Comments:
Dear Elizabeth, I appreciate your transparency, things hard to put out there you had to go through, but then the pleasurable fruit of growth and maturity followed. You are a special lady, beloved by Jesus Himself who formed you for His glory. I appreciate all the scripture you put in there. That's the source for spiritual sustenance and understanding.
Love you,
Margaret
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