I'm a very stubborn person, and I have been for as long as I can remember. As a young child my stubbornness was wearisome on my parents, I mean how could it not be when your child is very set in their ways and absolutely WILL NOT be joining the family to eat out, but would rather wait in the car.
See, I was stubborn, am stubborn, and will probably always be stubborn. Throughout my college years, I have learned that being stubborn isn't all that bad. I'm independent, strong-willed, and these are just two traits that I can derive from my stubbornness. However, at other times I believe my stubbornness can lead me to be closed-minded.
14 weeks ago I entered a small classroom at A&M to learn about the New Testament. To say I was skeptical would be an understatement. I had my guard up; I was on high alert for the "false teachings" I felt sure I would incur in such a class.
This "guard" hindered me at first. I quickly centered in on the differences in belief between me and my professor who wasn't a Christian. Holding tight to my conservative beliefs, I left class discouraged every time as I watched my classmates 'switch to the other side.' But, no, not me. I was going to hold unswervingly to my faith. I wouldn't believe what I was being taught, but would simply learn the material well enough to get the grade I needed in the course.
Then an interesting thing happened. As we began the unit over the Gospels, I felt as my mind began to open up to this idea that I could let go to my tight reigns on what I believed to be right and wrong, and instead take this class as an opportunity to better understand my own beliefs. I wasn't obligated to believe what my professor was teaching, but I began to be spurred on to read, study, and examine the Scriptures in a new light.
I learned that it was ok for me to disagree with a professor who holds about 2 doctorates, 4 masters, and however many bachelor degrees (ok, so maybe I exaggerated--but he spent a good 20 years of his life furthering his education). I learned that he didn't have to be right, and that his teachings weren't the law. Instead, I began to gain knowledge.
I began to grow because for the first time in my life, I had to defend what I believed. I had to write out what I believed, why I thought it so, and find the Scripture to back it up. Wow. The journey was one that wasn't always easy. I encountered questions that had been on my heart, and to be honest, I am not always the best person to understand Scripture in its correct historical context. This journey, is one that I hope to continue on for the rest of my life. I am eager to always learn, and critically examine God's word. My spiritual life has been strengthened because of it. Scripture is so much more to me now. Rather than viewing a chapter of the Bible and seeing the big picture, I have learned to break down each verse and examine what the writer was trying to convey.
As many of you know, I am returning to Camp Deer Run this summer. The theme is to Live like Jesus. As part of our contract, we agreed to read through the Gospels before starting work. How appropriate? It was truly as if God has been preparing me for a summer of examining the life of Jesus as I studied New Testament at A&M this semester. As I have been reading through the book of Matthew, one story that I have ready many times before stood out to me in a whole new light. For this reason, I want to share it with you.
In Matthew 8 verses 1-4, Jesus heals a man with leprosy. Before I had taken this class at A&M, I always read through these stories of miraculous healing, thinking that the take-home was the Jesus is the ultimate healer. I wasn't wrong, but recently I've learned to see so much more. What stuck out to me in this particular story, was that after the man with leprosy asks Jesus "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean," Jesus touches him.
Think about it. Jesus touches the man with leprosy.
I have always skipped right over this fact without thinking of how touching this man may have changed his life. Back in a historical time where leprosy was almost a death-sentence and called for the person inflicted to be outcast, I think it must have been a very long time since this man had been touched. I think about my day-to-day, and I don't think I go through a day without touch. Whether it is a hug, a hand shake or a high-five, it is all touch. To imagine my life without touch, would be horribly sad to me. This man, already condemned with a disease that would most likely result in his death, probably felt hopeless. His body was failing him, and I'm sure his social support was lacking. So the fact that Jesus reaches out and touches him to heal him--that is incredible. I also can't help but think of the people around Jesus at the time. Can't you just imagine the apostles panicking a little that Jesus would think to touch a man with leprosy. I can almost imagine them biting their tongues, concerned and confused about Jesus was doing.
Anyway, this was just a little something I took from this story. If anything, I hope it opens your eyes to how Scripture can really come to life. My New Testament class has taught me how to make the Scriptures more real, and I am excited for a life full of better understanding.
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