Still, when we ask ourselves which persons in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our would with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not-knowing, not-curing, not-healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is the friend who cares (Henri Nouwen; 115)This quote reminded about the class we had about Screwtape Letters. At one point in the lecture, we discussed the three groups of people in a church. The groups of churchgoers are shown in times of need, or when sin is exposed. The first group are the judgmental ones, those who condemn the sinners for what they have done. The second group of Christians are the condescending ones. They'll say "I'm sorry," but speak from a higher level. The final group are the sympathetic ones. These people have gone through the problems themselves and have experienced the pain. These are the people that will truly help and support those in need.
In our small group discussions, a question was raised as to whether God calls you towards a field of work, or do you discover how God can use you in the field you're already in. While we never really came to a conclusion, as God can work in both ways, it really made me thinking about the prospective field I hope to be working in. As a student filmmaker, the industry ahead of me has one of the greatest influences on society. I wouldn't say that I'm certain God is going to have me work in this field, but I would certainly hope so. One of the quotes that brought the discussion together was by Frederick Buechner:
The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.
I like that you have connected Plantinga to the things that we have discussed in class. It is truly amazing and almost sad that the church cam be so easily classified in those areas
ReplyDeleteI like your connection to the Screwtape Letters and the Church. It's very insightful. I hope that God calls you to the film industry, since that is your "deep gladness." But if it's not where he calls you, if there is another place of hunger in the world, I'm certain you will be secure there, knowing it's what God wants:)
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