To get through seminary, along with many others of theological education past, I work as a security guard. The hours are odd, and it can certainly kill any semblance of a social life, but the perks for a student are legion. Reading while you work is something many dream of, but even that blessed activity can become nearly impossible if you’re short on sleep and working into the wee hours of the morning. Security guards or not, most of us have had the experience of fighting off sleep while needing to stay awake. In my experience, nothing makes the clock tick slower than trying to keep my eyes open while waiting for my shift to end. In those moments, I desire for that time to come so fervently. This experience provides a helpful perspective on Psalm 130, which says:
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
2 O Lord, hear my voice!
dLet your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.
5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
6 my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.
7 O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is plentiful redemption.
8 And he will redeem Israel
from all his iniquities.
How much do we yearn for our Lord’s return? We ought to look to that day, praying with our greatest desire that the Lord would come quickly, so that we may worship him face-to-face for all eternity. Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us hope in the Lord and wait for him more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Camden, I know exactly what you’re going through. I spent most of my MAR/MDiv years working at least one or two midnight shifts, plus afternoons at the Campus Bookstore. Some semesters I would never have gotten enough studying done with out those shifts. A certain seminary president once worked for me when I became a site supervisor, so who knows what kinds of contacts you are building. Plus, this is a skill you will always be able to fall back on. When the little Buceys begin to arrive you will be all set for night-time duties!
All that aside, appreciate the exhortation!
-=Cris=-