The Truth of Grace

It is hard to believe that Doug, Devon, Ashley, and I have nearly finished our second year at Columbia Theological Seminary. We moved onto the CTS campus June 2008 as I began summer Greek School. As I begin preparing to take the ordination exams in August 2010, I wonder where the time has gone! Make sure you mark your calendars for graduation day on May 14, 2011!

My second year of seminary began with going before my Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) and the Charlotte Presbytery to apply for candidacy status in the process of seeking a vocation in Ordained Ministry. I was grateful to receive such gracious support and affirmation from the Sardis Session, my CPM, and the Presbytery. It was a milestone for me in recognizing how far God has brought me along in this journey and how much more I trust to learn for ministry.

The second year of seminary has been filled with many challenges. My studies this year in Theology, Biblical Languages, Pastoral Care, Worship, and Polity continue to challenge, stretch, and develop my critical thinking and theological foundation. My part time ministry in Outreach, Small Groups, and Fellowship at Rehoboth Presbyterian (Decatur, GA), where I served as Pastoral Intern in 2009, has been meaningful and continues to help me learn about my pastoral identity.

The most significant aspect of this second year is that I am truly beginning to learn the truth of grace in my life. I am learning more about the art of balancing self care, marriage, family, school, and ministry. Although the balancing certainly is not easy, I continue to trust the many ways God is leading me to fully live life. God is also reminding me of the truth of grace...that grace binds us to Christ, meeting us exactly where we are in life's journey. Grace creates a new and discernible path out of life’s chaos, allows us to live in right relationship, strengthens us in our vulnerabilities, gives us rest when we are weary, and helps us to find humor in the midst of difficulty.

I continue to pray that in this season of Lent God will reveal more about the truth of grace to each of us. It is the grace revealed in the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. As we approach the cross during these 40 days may we be led to the radical hope of resurrection...not just for our eternal rest but in order that we may know the radical transformation of Christ today.