This past weekend I submitted an application for the M. Div. program at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary beginning, D.V., January 18th.
It would seem an odd thing for a 51-year old to do. It's fairly common for 50ish types to change careers, but it's not too common for them to choose second careers that require at least 3 years of schooling before they can get started. By the time I finish I will be close to 55.
Age is irrelevant, though, if you don't think about retiring. If your criterion for evaluating options turns from what I can do to be most comfortable in retirement to what I can do to be most of service for the remainder of my life, however long that might be, then a seminary education looks appealing. If we are called to love God with all our strength, and education adds to our strength, then the 3 years are worth it.
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"One of the great tragedies of American culture is the way billions of dollars are invested to persuade people my age to waste the rest of their lives. It goes by the name of retirement, and the entire message is: you've worked for it, now enjoy it. And what is the “it”? Twenty years of play and leisure. While the world sinks under the weight of millions of healthy older people fishing, cruising, puttering, playing golf, bridge, bingo, shuffle board, and collecting shells. All of this in preparation for meeting Jesus Christ face to face with nail scars in his hands.
And that is exactly the way you will waste your life in 50 years if you do not make some radical decisions now, and set your face like flint to walk another way. Oh, that you might all come to age 65 with fire in your bones, and say, “Now! Now! With my simple pension and my remaining energy and my new freedom I will pour out my life for Christ and his kingdom, so that when I meet him—which I will do any day now—I will smile at his words, ‘well done, good and faithful servant,' instead of those awful words, “Fool! How did all that pointless play put my glory on display?”"
--John Piper (Campus Crusade for Christ Christmas Conference Dec. 29, 2003)
I am honored to have parents who model for me stewardship of their lives.
-- Eric
P.S. What is "D.V." ?
D.V. is the Latin abbreviation for Lord willing, see James 4:15.
We're on our way to Kentucky in just a few hours!
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