Philos Sophie

I guess you might say I went back to college today.

Does a night class and a weekend class at a local community college count? I suppose it does.

On a fairly last minute whim (and as a result of my other class option getting canceled), I decided to take a Philosophy course that is required for graduation at the school where I plan on receiving my degree.

Philosophy. The word itself means "love of wisdom." How awesome is that?

I preached to my windshield the whole drive home. When I look at the class, I'm excited for myself. I take it as a personal challenge to search the Scriptures and learn from the Lord. When I look at my classmates, I'm burdened to pray. I can't imagine being presented this material without a firm believe in the God of all truth.

Back to "love of wisdom." I have to admit, I'm just a little giddy over thinking about how by that definition, Solomon, and Paul, and David in his pursuit of the love of the Lord were philosophers.

My professor told us today that the point of studying philosophy was to find out what we think, to find out who we are.

How very empty.

I want to go the way the men of old - my heritage in Christ - went. They had a revelation of truth, and loved that wisdom of God. They met a Man, in whom was hidden all the riches of wisdom and knowledge, and they loved Him.

I am so very thankful tonight for that which is. With Him is no variation or shadow due to change. His truth is just that - truth. It will not change. Man's puny opinions don't affect it or change it. A class puts a label of "ethics" or "morals" on something and misses the reality of it:

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes...
{Psalm 19}

Measuring

Tomorrow I wake up to a new decade.

Most birthdays cause you to separate your life into years. The year I graduated high school, the year I went to college, the year I'll get married, and so on and so forth. But this time, this 2012, I can't get decade off my mind.

In a week I'm ducking back into school with a long-term goal that I expect to take up most of this next ten years. Perhaps this is what is making tomorrow feel so big. Or maybe 2 is just better than 1.

I feel as if I'm standing on a wide cliff, overlooking the largest expanse, wind whipping my hair back, with noise around and the quiet of God within. I couldn't tell you exactly what sits on that expanse, or which place I'll be one year...ten years from now.

The Lord has massaged my heart into this dreaming. Gently, bit by bit, he's drawn me a little farther, and a little farther, like a sheep learning a new path. Six months ago, ten years sounded like my whole life. Today, I see Jesus in a carpenter shop, spending his "twenties" in a small town with rough hands.

I imagine Him abiding. Working hard. Having the hope. Filled with joy, knowing that His Father works all things together for the good of the one He has called to His purpose.

Vingt. Viente. Venti. Twenty.

Good morning, Twenties. May you be filled with the zeal of the Lord, the knowledge of His will, the love of God, and the patience of Christ.