Peripatetics: The Art of Walking
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
It was always assumed I would go to college.
My grandparents started in on their children with the importance of a college education. Their children all became school teachers, and so ingrained their children with the importance of a college education.
It worked, too. All my cousins have graduated from universities, and their are 5 of us with advanced degrees, too. Only my sister didn't graduate...but she has enough hours to, they just aren't in the right courses. Besides, she dropped out of her university as a senior to work for a company and made enough money to retire at age 30, so I don't think my mom's too bent out of shape by that.
In fact, my mom didn't make too big a deal out my high school graduation. It was expected, and viewed as a necessary step. Sure, I got luggage and a typewriter and a ten-speed bike like everybody else in my class, but even my gifts of "celebration" were viewed as necessary items for the next step of my life.
You'd think that I would've taken applying to college more seriously with my background and all. I didn't, though. I pretty much knew what school I wanted to go to, had the grades and test scores to get into that school and just assumed I would go there unless something better came along. Nothing did.
Funny thing was, I spent the first year pretty frustrated. I changed majors three times in that year. Engineering. Business. Then philosophy. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and was growing with angst about it.
I shared my feelings with the guy that was discipling me at the time, Charles. The conversation went something like this:
Me: "I have no idea what I'm doing with my life, Chuck (me and the guys in my Bible study called him that because he told us it got under his skin). I mean, I'm just spending my mom's money with no real direction and I can't believe this is a good thing. I mean, I'm supposed to be at college to get trained to get a good job, and I'm certainly not making any progress there."
Charles: "Who told you you were supposed to go to college to get a good job?"
Me: "I dunno. That's why you go to college. That's what everybody's doing."
Charles: "That may be what everybody's doing, but do you know why UNIVERSITIES were founded? To expolore the condition of the universe and your place in that universe. So, you're actually the one that's doing what you're supposed to be doing instead of just trying to find a career."
I had never thought of it that way before, but Chuck was right. And I spent the next two years changing majors (I had 7 total before I finally graduated) and trying to make some sense of the universe and my place in that universe.
And that's what Jesus is getting at in verses 1--5 of John 17:
"These things Jesus spoke; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, 'Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gavest Him authority over all mankind, that to all whome You have given Him, He may give eternal life.
And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.
And now, You glorify Me together with Yourself, Father, with the glory which I had with You before the world was."
Very powerful stuff there, so let's take a look at what's being said.
Jesus was praying in the Garden right before His arrest after Judas' betrayal. He knew that His hour had come, and he prayed for glorification of Himself so that glory would reflect the glory of the Father. He knew He was The Way to eternal life (see John 14: 6 for more detail on that part of the story).
And then he defines eternal life: Knowing God, and Jesus Christ. That's it. It isn't harps and clouds and all that stupid stuff the television shows and movies show us...it's knowing Christ. So, eternal life begins the moment we know Christ, even as we move around this planet, rubbing shoulders with humanity, we're living the eternal life. Just a more hands-on part of it right now. It'll change later, but for now, knowing Christ IS eternal life.
The point of this life is obvious since a variation of one word happens five times in these five verses: Glory.
In particular, it references giving God glory for the life that is lived.
You know, that's what I found out about the universe and my place in it. God created the universe. Knowing that God is eternal life. So I want to know that God and experience eternal life. And why would I do that? So God could be glorified in me.
And, why is that important? Because if my God is glorified, then other people will want to know Him, and experience eternal life for themselves...kingdom living for their very own possession. That, in turn, will draw others...and so on...and so on.
The details can always be filled in later for you, but...
for now, the condition of the universe is that God created it and wants to have a relationship with you.
for now, your place in the universe is to give God glory, where you are, as you are. Nothing fancy, just walking with God, depending on Him, in the right here, right now, doing what you're already doing.
So, how's your relationship with your Father? How does it affect your moment by moment lifestyle? How does this change your view of the things you do every day in class or at work, or with your parents, or the things you do/say with your friends? How do you give God glory in everything you do?
Frankly, if you can answer those questions, you've got a pretty good head start in life...Kingdom living.
Brent 4:41 AM
Comments:
it comforts me to know i'm living out eternal life in christ right now, in this moment. it gives me a peace about where i'm at and what i'm doing and who i am. and i want to live fully for him.
michelle
michelle
i'm not doing so well with this one. thinking about how great the Father only makes me realize how insignificant i am and how unworthy i am to even be called His. it's almost an insult to call me His child. i have a lot to work on...
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