Leap of Faith

Instead of a New Year's Resolution, I try to find a new thing to try or learn each year.  I've taken classes on creating pottery from clay, simple plumbing and electrical fix-it classes,  guitar lessons, and Spanish lessons (to refresh my high school learnings).  I've gone on vacations by myself across the country (thereby learning to be independent, read maps and entertain myself).  My "new things" over the years have included writing novels in 30 days as a challenge and walking a 5K race.  On my list of things yet to do are learn to scuba dive, complete at least a 10K or a half-marathon, and learn to drive a motorcycle.

One thing I had always wanted to do is to learn to read Greek and Hebrew, specifically the Greek and Hebrew in the Bible.  A weird dream, but something that had been in the back of my mind for a long time.  So a couple years ago, I decided to investigate learning both ancient languages.

After looking into classes at the college level, I realized what I really needed or wanted to learn was available primarily through seminaries.  I had not considered going and did not want to go to seminary.  So, I decided to spend some time (a year) to decide whether this was something God wanted me to do or if this was just a whim that would pass with time.  

After the year, I had determined my real objections to going to seminary were the cost and the time it would take.  I knew that the sacrifice of my personal time would be high and that I would likely have to give up a lot of the activities and events I enjoyed doing.

But, after a year, I also was certain that this was something God was calling me to accomplish.  So, taking a leap of faith, I enrolled in seminary, and have spent the past year and a half taking classes online through Bethel Seminary in St. Paul.

The question I am asked most often when people find out I'm taking seminary classes is "What do you plan to do with it?"  The answer: I have no idea.  It has not been revealed to me, and I don't have plans to change careers.

But, the benefits to taking the classes have been enormous: new friends, a closer relationship with God, a firmer understanding of our faith, a clarification of ideas, and learning Hebrew.  While there have been costs as well, such as all of my vacations spent at school or lack of time to do things other than homework, the benefits clearly outweigh the costs.   I am certain that God wants me there, if for no other reason than to broaden my perspective.  Although, I suspect there is much more to it than that.



For more on this topic, click through the Women of Faith blog hop.