We need an economy with a safety net. We have always been fragile, and now we are seeing how fragile it always was. Rob Bell’s son, Trace, said we built a “Jenga-style” economy. I have a story to speak to this.
When I was struggling with the decision to go to seminary – so many things trying to keep me from doing it: I have been burned before, money, can I do school again, etc.
Here is George’s response: After a message of encouragement he said this: “we” are going to work really hard.
He had no idea how powerful just the word “we” was going to be for me in that moment. It changed me the second I read it. That is the word I am going to remember forever from that email. It also revealed how alone I have always felt in my faith and making hard decisions. We are a tough society on each other. “Pull yourself up by your bootstraps” is bad theology. That isn’t how faith works.
When I had to make a decision about work b/c full-time seminary is no joke. George said this: You aren’t going to fall this time, Lindsay. If you do, it will not be as hard. You have a safety net now. Trust your faith.
Now I am in seminary falling in love with how communal our faith is supposed to be. Our freedom is for each other. I experienced this right before coming and it has changed everything for me. And I work really hard too! When you are empowered, loved and valued-and mentored in a way to see your strengths-it changes a person. Love for the whole community abounds. He had to work hard for me to believe him b/c I have had this door shut to me for so long-I never imagined it.
So right after this is when Tim Keller tried to mansplain something to me and then disappear. I was like “listen here, Tim Kellar, I have a “we” now. and this isn’t going to fly anymore”. I have the Baptists and now I have Methodists.
Praise!
There is Life Out There 