This week was probably, to-date, my favorite DTS week in terms of teaching. Leah (?) came from Canada (via England) to talk to our class about worldview and had a lot of great insight into how we see the world and why each of us sees it the way we do. Although there are only 9 people in our DTS class, this week helped me to realize that we have all come from very different backgrounds, representing different nationalities, family structures and church backgrounds. The experiences we've each had have helped to shape our views of the world and even the way we see God, and Leah was helpful in reminding us that the ultimate worldview is the way God sees things. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done, since much of scripture has been debated by brilliant scholars for hundreds of years. Even so, it is refreshing to know that when things seem overwhelming, we can go back to the Bible to see what God thinks, and apply what we read and hear to our lives and situations.
My favorite part of the class (CHEER!) was on Friday, when she talked about God's view on injustices in the world and went through some of the initiatives that are being done in areas like HIV/AIDS, child mortality rates, extreme hunger and poverty, gender equality, and environmental sustainability. The "J" part of my personality loved this part, because it really wants justice in the world. There is so much to be done, and as disciples of Christ, it is our job to make a change in the lives of people who can't do it on their own. These people didn't do anything more to deserve their lot in life than I did to deserve mine, and they couldn't be more different. Over the past year, I have read a few books that have really opened my eyes to the injustices of the world that I would highly recommend. One is Radical by David Platt - it is just that: radical - but it dares Christians to live out their faith and give up the "American dream" to make a difference in the world and shape lives for eternity by sharing the Gospel. Another great read was The Hole In Our Gospel by Richard Stearns, current CEO of World Vision. This may be my new favorite book, and it tells the story of Richard going from well-to-do CEO of a secular company to his job with World Vision and the way it has impacted his life and the life of his family. His stories of visiting communities around the world are heartbreaking and inspiring. Stories like these are what have driven David and me to want to be a part of making a difference in the world and Leah's teachings have made me even more excited to get started in South Africa and then head to Mongolia.
My JEER for the week was Bible reading. I have been really up-to-date with it until this week, and ironically we talked about it a lot this week. I have been sick, so most of my "awake" time has been in class but Leah also really drove home the point that to be able to share and live out the gospel, we have to know it. Although this really makes me want to read my Bible, it also puts a new responsibility on it and I am afraid of just skimming through and missing something important that could make or break someone's eternal destiny. I know that God is bigger than letting that happen but it is a worry, nonetheless. My other JEER for the week has been being sick - we're all cramped up in the base and sharing germs and there is nothing worse than just feeling blah. It makes me miss my family and all the comforting things about home (like medicine that doesn't cost $20).
The YWAM Value I want to explore this week is "Have a Biblical Worldview." I really learned a lot about my own worldview this week, and was so surprised to hear others talk about their worldviews in light of their past experiences. I think it is amazing that God has given us all unique ways to see His creation and this community to bounce ideas around between each other, but it is also incredible that He has given us His word to measure everything against. I've learned that it's okay to have different opinions about things, as long as we are following the ultimate view and really trying to hear what God has to say about things.
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