This verse I just came across tonight in my own personal Bible Study that I believe should really hit home with every Bible College and Seminary student out there.
“You search the Scriptures because you believe they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me so that I can give you this eternal life.” -John 5:39-40 NLT
Wow. “You search the scriptures because you believe they give you eternal life. BUT the scriptures point to me!”
Isn’t that amazing? And yet how often do we get to caught up in studying the word thinking it will lead us to eternal life. How stupid are we? The scriptures DO lead us to eternal life. They lead us to JESUS. The scriptures point to Him. Stop studying the Bible and start reading God’s love letter to us. Stop analyzing scripture and start realizing his passion for you. Quit unpacking the “truth” of the word and start realizing the truth. Shut up, and praise God.
As I finish my second day of class at Multnomah I find myself asking a few questions. Mostly… why?
Why am I attending a University in order to “learn” how to be a pastor. AKA. Why do I have to “learn” how to love people. Why do I have to “learn” how to be used by God. I feel I should be able to just up and go. I mean… can’t anyone be used by him no matter what place they are in?
I guess that’s a moot point. I know I’m supposed to be at Multnomah right now. Along with that Jesus spent time learning. I mean how long was his ministry for? A few years right? And how long did he study? Basically since he was born.
So… with that said I plan to really focus on my teachings and work hard so I can be used even more effectively by God.
Anyway, off to study!
School is working out. I had to call two days ago though and tell them I can’t stay in the dorms. I would LOVE to stay in the dorms but I just can’t afford an extra $6000 a year. Nonetheless I am going and will be staying with my grandparents who live about 3 miles away until further notice.
With that said I am very excited. I had my first day of orientation today and I feel this is definitely where I am supposed to be now. I met a lot of new people and began building friendships very quickly and can’t wait till classes start. The only issue is still the money.
Currently I will be working 25 hours a week (or as many as possible) in order to pay for school. At this many hours a week and with what I currently have in the bank and whatnot I will just be scrapping by. No eating out, no movies, no gas money, no dates, etc. etc. I plan on biking everywhere currently as there is no alternative. I did it all last year so hopefully this will work out.
My current plan is to attend Multnomah for a year and then attend Northwest University in Seattle next year. If I get a 3.0 GPA (grade point average) this year at Multnomah and transfer to Northwest next year I will get an automatic $6000 scholarship. Along with that they already gave me a $9500 scholarship. This means that though Northwest is more expensive ($22360 a year without room + board) it will end up being cheaper to attend than Multnomah.
Along with this I have been offered the potential of an internship up there by my old pastor who will be planting a church there. Hopefully that will actually work out and I will be able to move up there next year and flawlessly begin my career in ministry.
Of course this is all a dream. I still have a year of working 25 hours a week, going to school full time, biking between 10-15 miles a day, and trying to maintain a life. Nobody said it would be easy.
Nonetheless I trust God and am extremely excited. If you think about me in the upcoming months… please pray for me.
Otherwise. Keep following my blog for hopefully some updates.
