A Manifesto of Sorts
As a recent graduate, I am feeling the desire to close one season and start a new one. Graduate studies were rich and varied. They offered opportunities for reflection and gave new tools for thinking. I was introduced to new branches of theology for contemplation. And, I was taught new truths about Scripture. At my recent graduation ceremony, I was touched and moved by one charge in particular: that I have responsibilities as a graduate. I hadn’t been thinking in those terms. But, yes. I took that charge as a responsibility to keep learning, humbly, and to cherish the knowledge that I have gained.
In this new season, I plan to write more on this blog. For, it feels as though a season of preparation is launching me into a season of output. God uses the experiences, the training, and the comfort we have received how he wills. I believe this coming season is for a ministry of presence. I seek to be present here, at this site. Present to relay the blessings of Jesus that have been made manifest to my mind and heart.
Rarely have I been present at my personal blog. I had a season of writing when I first started blogging in which I wrote at a ministry for grieving mothers called Hope Mommies. During that season, I also contributed to various sites, like Open the Bible and For The Church. Then, I went through a season of primarily writing for Salem blogs, like Bible Study Tools. And, I have taken breaks along the way. But never have I much sought to be present at my own blog. I didn’t have a vision for it. And, I was also very interested in my thoughts being sifted through the editorial process by or being accepted by another Christian mind. Though I still value others’ thoughts highly, I know better my own limitations—and that guides me. I can best write devotionally, of personal experience, and with reflection on Scripture. And, as it pertains to vision—my vision is now of presence in this online space.
I recently wrote of my renaming of this blog, meaning “God has answered.” And, I wrote of the freedom and grace that I am learning. I wrote again of freedom as well, and I hope to explore more about grace in the future. For, being present with you means being present with my own soul—to listen to what I am being drawn to learn, and of what musings are coming to my heart and mind. What I am curious about, perhaps you are curious about too. What I am learning, perhaps you are tasting too in your times of meal with the Lord. Reading and writing provide opportunities for commonality, for feeling understood—even when there is plenty of diversity of thought. What I know is that God provides the food and sustenance. I am merely here to receive. God has answered—he answers over and over with encouragements of spirit, teachings to receive, musings for further reflection, and more.
So, I am present here to learn, to muse, to pray, to reflect, to share. Now that graduate studies are done, and I have my one precious girl here soundly in school, I have ample opportunity of time to share myself here. And, I am praying it becomes a habit of life.
While I graduated from seminary, I have no plans of writing on themes of theology or biblical studies, etc. per se. Others can do that and are doing that in a manner of excellence in scholarship and ability. I am here simply to share of my journey of mind, especially as it pertains to the reflections stemming from my heart. I will, at times, share my more academic journey—especially through some of the books that I am reading. But more often, I plan to share of heart and life.
As a preview, I have two Christmastime posts forthcoming:
A Slowness to the Season
7 Truths about Jesus’ Light from the Gospel of John
Then, I’ll share with you some of the books I’ve read this year and how they have changed me. Later in January, I’ll have another post for you about my favorite books from my seminary experience.
As the year comes to a close and I begin a new time of writing, I trust that God will continue to deposit with me what I might share with you. I am looking to him for the path forward—not that I have any grasp on him or his thought, but that I have faith he is guiding me. I pray you are blessed in this season and the new year, blessed in your reflections on the Lord and path with him.
For my moving forward here, I am reminded of when Andrew and another disciple asked Jesus where he was staying at the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus replied to them: “Come and see” (John 1:39). They wanted to be in his presence, and Jesus invited them to himself. And, in a sense, that is how I feel about this blog. How can I be present here, my God, with you? “Come and see.”