Back in early march I wrote a post titled Bilboards from Phillipians or something of the sort. In that I quoted multiple parts of Phillipians 2 in relation to life and I guess a bit of what I was struggling with. Today it seems a little if someone has realised things weren’t quite clicking and actually wound the film on for me. Self realization is a curious thing. You can stuff around for ages trying to work out what the heck is up, explore multiple options and then suddenly when you aren’t paying too much attention you get this faint idea (which is what I’m writing off at the moment oddly enough) and pray like mad that you’ll at least get enough of a grip to hold what your touching.
Graduates of Tabor College, for I am one of those, had their ‘prayer and prophesy’ day today. It started with a “time of worship” (inverted comma’s indicating worship in singing style) and then we split up according the the number you got shoved at you when you walked in the door. They had various faculty people and others connected with the college praying for the graduating students, who aren’t all yits’ers, and are open as the name suggests for prophesy stuff. This simply makes sense, as prayer is communication with God and I sort of see prophesy as being open to God in a certain way. Awkward explanation, but I think the majority of prophesy is not at all about future telling stuff but far more about the truths in life at the present time ie: Martin Luther King Jr. a prime example of a ‘modern day prophet’.
So I sat with Darryn who was only other YITS’er in my group and we caught up a bit as we waited as it was one of those groups that initially just let one person go at a time which was fairly stupid. Other groups had everyone praying. Anyway it was good because I did get to know Darryn a little last year as we had a few good conversations on those late night Wednesday youth-min classes.
The couple doing the praying for group 2, were ancient, there’s nothing at all wrong with that and I was quite impressed when they knew what I was talking about when I mentioned online stuff. I basically chatted to them for a bit so they knew what I was up to, and knew a little about me. Her name was Helen and for the life of me I can’t remember his. It was a funny little introduction really, because I said my name was Rebecca and he’s like, “Oh, I was reading about you just this morning” (Not that I have an Issac or anything unfortunately ;P) He rambled on a little about meditation and how important it was to keep in tune with God. OK ‘in tune’ is my wording and I don’t intend to steal from the other day’s phrasing, but so be it. So we’re chatting and they end up praying for me after asking about some specific things. He talked a bit about direction, which I thought was fairly irrelevant and noted my ‘busy brain’ (:P) and said a bit about choices, where by I got the, “Well you’re not married yet” thing which slightly startled me as it was said out of the blue 😛 (Hey *snort* there’s hope yet! haha I’m not going to be a permenant single if I follow Rebecca logic lines of thought). Hellen mentioned perseverance and patience and definitely prayed about it. Either way it was sort of nice to have these two people with their attention on me and seeking God for me.
It concluded a little with the guy talking in the way some old Christian men do in getting some verbal affirmation of what I believe, much I think as just a way of talking about God, I was doing the, “This is funny of course I believe, I’m at a Bible College for one.” But later I realized how much I guess I appreciated that subtle but still verbal proclamation of what I do believe.
Something that tripped me a little was when he asked something about sharing your faith and priorities of that. Its funny really. It very easy to do the Christian thing and forget all about it, which hardly seems right and it entirely stupid. I do think of things in slightly different terms now, as I’ve looked at evangelism and my view would be far more post-modern in the perception of, “What exactly is discipleship” in relation to their (age) very modern view. I think that I’m probably more pushed along the lines of discipling ie: more of, golly this is hard to explain, moving people along? than the direct, “Hi, this is Jesus Christ and I’m Rebecca” thing – which btw is a pretty crude way to put it. I guess I still need to keep tabs on that and think about it more. Like, I care about it, but it certainly hasn’t been my focus in the way he worded it.
The predominant thing that came out of talking with Mr. Davies and Hellen was the absolute necessity of God. It’s sounds funny. But leaning into God as the most pertinent thing. This is something thats been hazy on my radar for quite a while, that is, not that it doesn’t entirely happen, but I know something more needs to be done about the importance level. It was kind of nice to have a little jab in the side about it.
I joined another group after that, when I realised what was going on 😛 This time it was far more ‘groupish’. Prayed for several others, including Jess. John Capper and Marko were ‘leading’ this one. Very different. Brief chatting before hand. Prayer. More I guess on the encouragement side of things this time, Capper gave me the Phillipians verses (from ch.2) as an encouragement as I was changing places with Katie, as in, “You’re doing this, keep on at it.” kind of thing. John Capper is cool (and its not just because of his long weird grey beard) I sort of wish I might have had a few more conversations with him throughout last year.
For me the morning was a good experience. Some I think less so, I know there were a few a bit confused about some things around prophesy stuff. Cheryl (College Principal) did have the gumption to talk about it Biblically briefly before hand, so I think they’ll be right.
The click came with the God priority level and the pointer at the Phillipians passage. Keep on. Keep on. Work out my salvation with fear and trembling. Do it, but do it in the knowledge of a God much greater than myself a God worth fearing, honoring.
Lunch was at some conference centre thing. Few speeches. Lots of funny talk and stuff. Shared a table with Jess, Jane, Mark (luskie), Michael, Dan, Marko. Got prepped briefly on what’s happening tomorrow – which is all the formal actual graduation stuff. Hung around late talking with Katie and Alice and Rowan and the others until the centre started using their speakers as a not so subtle hint to leave.
I drove Jess, Sam and Darryn to Croydon so I could pick up my slides. All done, I am isanely happy with them, a few bodgies, but it’s to be expected. Technically they were all okay, just a few asthetically not so suitable. I love my camera. Found the slide scanner at uni the other day, so I’ll get some to show off shortly.
Got a free new release rental when I recharged my phone. So Sam and I went back to my place and watched The Constant Gardenner. Brilliant movie! Talked a bit. And now I am here, my feet have dropped several degrees below body tempertature which means that it is probably time for bed.
(Image by Modigliani)