From Here to There

Ahh...I finally graduated this past weekend! Now, I just have to figure out what to do with the rest of my time. Suprisingly enough, I find myself elated about accomplishing a major life goal and a little sad about saying goodbye. Although I did make some pretty great friends, what makes me sad is the goodbye to an environment-a family of sorts.
One of my favorite profs, Dr. Snyder, has an incredible way of speaking with such high regard to the scriptures, yet allowing all of us to explore and even question so many things we have always been taught. The great thing about this is we have all learned (majority of us) to coexist and learn from one another no matter how varied our opinions may be. To be able to disagree without offending. For me it has been a great picture of how the church is really supposed to be. I was discussing with Dr. Snyder last week my view on some pretty controversial issues within the church right now. Oddly enough he said, "It must be hard for you to go from here to there?" referring to my home church/denomination. It was at that moment that I realized how much I have grown to love these people who have invested in me the past two years. Even though we may or may not see eye to eye on everything, they seem to believe in me more than the people I have so wanted to accept me as 'family'. I guess its true that you don't really see what you have until its gone. Southeastern has become a safe place for me, but you can't live in those places. What I have learned about this great God of ours since I started until now, gives me the courage to go from there back to here...
So many people say I cannot do the things that God has called me to do. Im sure lots of people here that. I simply say that I am glad that the Apostle Paul did not listen when people told him that what he was doing was ridiculous and unorthodox. (I am positive those people existed back then too :) Its a good thing that Martin Luther didn't listen when people said he couldn't change the system, or Zwingli, or Wesley, or Martin Luther King. Do I think God will use me to change the 'system'? Maybe...maybe not. Or maybe it is just our faith is simply too small.