So I'm working on my application for seminary (yes...it's true...grad school), and in the midst of the "general biography" section, there was a question.
Describe your salvation experience and your relationship to Jesus Christ.
Then they proceed to give me three lines in which to explain all this. My first thought: how in the wizzle do I put all that into three lines?! You can't write really, really tiny or else the old people who read the applications can't read it. And they don't give you the opportunity to attach another piece of paper (and believe me, in other places, they give PLENTY of opportunities!). This application has to look classy, refined, mature, academic. Which leaves me with one choice: to reveal all that is my spiritual experience (i.e. my whole life) in a paragraph.
What are they thinking?!
At any rate, I attempted it. Trying to verbalize an entire lifetime with the Almighty is like trying to....do...something....really, really...difficult. (Sorry, my metaphorical outlet is on vacay today.)
How would YOU answer that question in a paragraph? What are your stories?
My feeble attempt (and I still may have to write small):
I was baptized at age 6. My mother says it was because I claimed Jesus was my best friend and I was at a Billy Graham crusade, but I honestly cannot remember. I grew up attending church and all church-related functions, assuming that because I did this, God and I were alright. It was not until late into high school that I realized "church Sarah" and "not-church Sarah" were not the same person. It was then that I remember truly surrendering my life to the Lord and knowing He was the Lord of my heart. Since then my relationship with Christ has waxed and waned. There are moments when His presence is palpable; other moments I feel almost like I've never experienced Him. In spite of my feelings, however, He has remained faithful. I am ever-learning more about Him, His nature, His work in the world and He is ever-guiding me to live in the Spirit. Sometimes I listen, but more often than not, I don't. But He, as always, remains by me, shaping me to be a person who desires His heart.
3 comments:
you should write one of those long paragraphs like c.s. lewis or paul. that'll blow their minds.
In three lines.
I'm a total screw up.
God's got some hardcore grace.
I'm learning to deal with that.
Sad as it might be, I think that pretty much sums it up.
i really like that you said "waxed and waned". i friggin love the moon.
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