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Charles Hewlett writes...
Maybe I am a “stuck record” or “stuck in the mud”. Perhaps I do have a “bee in my bonnet” and need to “get off my soap box” and climb down “off my high horse”.

Call me what you like… but I will happily wear the criticism on the chin! My “Orientation Message” for 2011 is exactly the same as it was in 2010. In fact here it is word-for-word (just in case you have forgotten!):

I want to suggest that the purpose of your theological education is not that you just become cleverer than you were before. It is not just about filling your head with knowledge. Now don’t get me wrong – the academic is vital and your lecturers will be rigourous. However, we must never lose sight that our purpose must be the same as that of the Apostle Paul’s…’knowing Jesus Christ my Lord…gaining Christ and being found in him…to know Christ and the power of his resurrection…becoming like him’. This is our orientation. These are our bearings. This is our location. This is why we exist. Jesus Christ is the focus here at Carey!

Can I encourage you to do a little extra homework this week. Firstly, find a quiet spot by yourself, or maybe with a friend, and read through Philippians 3:7-11 – especially note verse 8, “What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him…”. Notice how valuable Jesus is for Paul. He has become convinced that knowing Christ was so great that everything else paled in comparison. In fact he considered everything else rubbish, rejecting and discarding anything that would hinder his knowing Christ.

Secondly, read through the following. Think about ways they might be able to bring focus to your studies this year:

• As a result of my studies this week do I actually know Jesus more?
• Do I treasure Jesus in a greater way?
• Do I comprehend more of who Jesus is and what he is like?
• Is my relationship with Jesus growing stronger?
• Am I becoming more aware of the things that are important to Jesus?
• How am I becoming more like Jesus?
• Am I displaying the fruit of the Spirit more?
• Am I experiencing the resurrecting power of Jesus more and more in my life?
• Am I becoming more fervent about sharing Jesus with others?
• Do I have a growing desire to see people and communities transformed by Jesus?
• Is the idea of sharing in the sufferings of Jesus just a little less scary than before?

Thirdly, spend some time praying. Ask the Holy Spirit to continue working in your life that you might consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord.

And don’t forget the old English proverb, “Repetition is the mother of learning”. Have a great week.
Charles