The People, The Word

One of the main joys in our life here in South Africa are the people we work with.

(The top picture is of the School of Biblical Studies '11-'12 students and staff at their Christmas party. The second is of the School of Biblical Studies staff at their recent retreat.) This is Hans' work family, and even though I'm no longer formally in the Biblical Studies Department, I'm still involved with the school, the team and the vision.

These are good people.

People who are passionate about the Word of God.

People who have decided that studying and teaching the Word of God is something they want to pursue with their whole lives.

People who want to see lives and families and communities and nations impacted by the life-giving Truth that is found in this amazing book.

We are honored to be working alongside such a stellar group of people.

We are honored to be able to devote our lives to studying and teaching the Word of God.

Both are a joy and a gift.

Winter

Winter Is the Best Time
by David Budbill

Winter is the best time
to find out who you are.

Quiet, contemplation time,
away from the rushing world,

cold time, dark time, holed-up
pulled-in time and space

to see that inner landscape,
that place hidden and within.

I was talking to my brothers the other day when I realized that I haven't been in winter since 2009. Living in the southern hemisphere, our seasons are opposite to what we're used to, and we've traveled the last two years, spending what would be our winter in the warm and inviting summer of the northern hemisphere. Don't get me wrong... I do love summer. Having nearly 3 years of almost constant summer (with springs and falls thrown in there as well) has it's perks. We've had an uncharacteristically warm summer here in Muizenberg, and it's been nice.

But to be honest, I really miss winter. I identify with this poem by David Budbill. There's something about winter that invites us to enjoy solitude and contemplation, to slow down and allow ourselves to rest and be. Maybe I'm longing for winter because I'm actually longing for that kind of space in my life. Maybe I'm longing for winter because right now the landscape of my interior world identifies more with a good rainy day than the forced optimism of constant sunshine. Maybe I'm longing for winter because I'm in a sort of hibernation mode, and winter just seems like a more appropriate, more fitting backdrop for my life right now.

Many of you reading this are in the middle of winter, probably dreaming of the kind of sunshine and high temperatures that we are experiencing. I understand. But perhaps you can remember me as you sit by your fire and and bundle up in your cozy blankets and sweaters. Perhaps you can take a few minutes to enjoy the slower pace that comes from days spent indoors, nights spent home, allowing the stillness to speak to your soul. If you haven't taken time to slow down this winter, to experience that "quiet, contemplation time, away from the rushing world," perhaps this can be a reminder to do so. Let God speak to you about who you are as you take time to hole up with Him, "to see that inner landscape, that place hidden and within." Summer will be back soon enough. Each season has its beauty and its gift. As you unwrap what winter has to offer, I will do the same with my 3 year summer. And I know that our faithful God will meet us, speak to us, sustain us as we walk with him.