To be continued…
It’s been two days: two days since being declared Dr. Ramsey. (I will walk in LCU’s graduation ceremony in May.)
Having received a doctorate of ministry (Dmin) simply means that I met the demands and requirements of a program that gives out degrees. (I am so appreciative of my LCU Dmin experience and encourage all to pursue formal educational learning.) I learned how to dig deeper into an area of focus or topic, identify a problem, propose and implement a solution, and then test to see if my hypothesis was correct (according to the standards that I set up). I then had to analyze and evaluate the whole experience. (I also learned that I am a horrible researcher who has to dive down deep into the minutia-for that is where the real discovery resides.) The experience taught me much-needed discipline (which I don’t naturally come by when it comes to dedicated study. I’m more relational.) Throughput all of my schooling (including the completion of my terminal degree) and my personal learning, I have learned how to learn, and for this, I am very grateful. It has been amazing.
However, I still feel that same way. Nothing has actually changed. With the title of Dr. in front of my name, I still don’t have THE corner on truth or the answers for a myriad of topics; and for some, no most, questions, absolutely no answers. There is still so much about life I haven’t a clue about. I certainly don’t have more certainty; I may even have less. (The more one knows the more one realizes the less he knows.) I must now guard against me thinking, and others assuming, that I know something or that my voice has more weight in a discussion because I have a recognized title. Nonsense.
I love what Paul writes that could apply here: “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Gal 1:10).
I follow Jesus who wore no titles but simply served, loved, and gave himself as a sacrifice. Sounds like a great model to continue to adopt. I am still a learner who has so much to learn, so much to unlearn, and so much room to grow as an apprentice of Jesus, fellow human, and a curious “wonderer” of this incredible world in which we all get to live. May the learning… to be continued...
