Seven Whole Days
“Seven whole days, not one in seven, I will praise thee…” (George Herbert). This is the first line to a verse of one of my favorite hymns. Over the last year, this line has kept me grounded as I spent a lot of time in the jail, and around those who our society has deemed “bad.” In fact, I can remember the first time someone at the jail said, “I have been praying for you to come visit me.” Those words almost knocked me to the ground.
One particular client will forever stand out in my mind. He was 16 years old, and had two different cases pending against him. I went to see him at the jail, and he began to tell me that he had found God. As such, he was studying the Bible so that when he got out, he could become a preacher. Apparently, a lay chaplain that led Bible studies at the jail, along with an older inmate, had helped him “see the light.” As we talked, I realized his parents were deceased, and he had no one but a brother who was in the same jail, awaiting his trial for murder.
I realized my role was not to be his friend, or his priest, but his lawyer. It was strictly legal advice I could dole out. But, I started to realize that my words, and my actions, and my treatment of these clients, did impact their lives. So, every morning, as I was driving to work, I began praying, “Lord, let my words, and actions, and thoughts, be your words and actions and thoughts.”
My understanding of Christ in the world was completely changed by this work. Seven whole days, not one in seven, took on a new meaning for me – for, I deeply believe that we encounter Christ in each other. I have no doubt that these clients taught me more about Christ’s love, than I ever did for them. Through these encounters, seven whole days, not one in seven, I could see Christ in my daily life.
So, I now find myself in seminary – where seven whole days, not one in seven, I attend a worship service, sometimes twice a day. (Incidentally, the tune name to this hymn is named after my seminary.) Honestly, on some level, it has been a really difficult transition for me. I know I am learning skills to minister rather than legally advise, but in some ways, going from working all day with people who need help, to just going to class, has been an abrupt change. In some ways, it makes me feel like I am going backwards. Yes, I believe Christ is in the church, so going to church I encounter Christ. But, sometimes this place seems like an oasis in the midst of the real world. So, I am trying to figure out how my experiences will shape my new ministry seven whole days, not one in seven. At this time, I obviously have no answers for this. Your prayers are welcomed.
In other news, I have had requests to see my new “apartment”. It is a bit of an open floor plan:
One particular client will forever stand out in my mind. He was 16 years old, and had two different cases pending against him. I went to see him at the jail, and he began to tell me that he had found God. As such, he was studying the Bible so that when he got out, he could become a preacher. Apparently, a lay chaplain that led Bible studies at the jail, along with an older inmate, had helped him “see the light.” As we talked, I realized his parents were deceased, and he had no one but a brother who was in the same jail, awaiting his trial for murder.
I realized my role was not to be his friend, or his priest, but his lawyer. It was strictly legal advice I could dole out. But, I started to realize that my words, and my actions, and my treatment of these clients, did impact their lives. So, every morning, as I was driving to work, I began praying, “Lord, let my words, and actions, and thoughts, be your words and actions and thoughts.”
My understanding of Christ in the world was completely changed by this work. Seven whole days, not one in seven, took on a new meaning for me – for, I deeply believe that we encounter Christ in each other. I have no doubt that these clients taught me more about Christ’s love, than I ever did for them. Through these encounters, seven whole days, not one in seven, I could see Christ in my daily life.
So, I now find myself in seminary – where seven whole days, not one in seven, I attend a worship service, sometimes twice a day. (Incidentally, the tune name to this hymn is named after my seminary.) Honestly, on some level, it has been a really difficult transition for me. I know I am learning skills to minister rather than legally advise, but in some ways, going from working all day with people who need help, to just going to class, has been an abrupt change. In some ways, it makes me feel like I am going backwards. Yes, I believe Christ is in the church, so going to church I encounter Christ. But, sometimes this place seems like an oasis in the midst of the real world. So, I am trying to figure out how my experiences will shape my new ministry seven whole days, not one in seven. At this time, I obviously have no answers for this. Your prayers are welcomed.
In other news, I have had requests to see my new “apartment”. It is a bit of an open floor plan:
Comments
OM
its very nice....