Well, yesterday was my first day back to graduate school. I am taking two classes which seem to be challenging. I am excited about the opportunity to further my degree, be refreshed in Greek, and learn more in areas of Old Testament, theology, and faith community. Being in graduate school is a humbling experience for me. I am not the best student although I work hard. Some people pick up things rather quickly and some of us must study really hard. The one thing that tends to frustrate me in graduate school is the student that thinks pretty highly of themselves. There is usually one in every class. So far, though, it seems as though my classes are filled with humble servants that are greatly willing to learn. However, our class had to change rooms with another class today. The class, obviously, a third year MDIV class, figured out we were a first year graduate Greek class. In one student’s attempt to be humorous he chose to chide us for being in first year Greek and alluded to how hard it would be. I looked at him and said in my usual low-key monotone, “Oh its no big deal.” He chuckled as if I was crazy and went on his way.
I wanted to scream at this guy. I wanted to stand on my pedestal speaking of how Greek was a language to be learned, but doing ministry full-time in a church was difficult. Talking students through life-altering situations seemed humanly impossible, while parsing a verb would come. I wanted to say, “Walk a week in my shoes and we will see how fast you run back to your books!” However, I don’t even know his name, nor his motives, and I shouldn’t be so sensitive. So I simply say, “Oh its no big deal.” There are some things you learn after years of ministry and not in the classroom.
There are things, though, I am excited to learn in the classroom I am also excited to meld the two worlds in order to become a better follower of Christ, husband, minister, and friend.
-Michael
