Divinity Journey – April, 2025
Divinity School Blog #7: 4-21-2025
This semester was full of surprises – both good and bad – and this allowed me to more deeply lean into the spiritual exercises that I refreshed or learned. It also afforded me the opportunity to engage in some of my newer practices. One in particular closely aligns to a lesson that Morgan Freeman shares in the movie “Bruce Almighty.” In this wonderful film he asks a simple question, “If we ask God for patience (or courage, or families being closer) do we think God just gives it to us, or does He give us the opportunity to learn it?” This semester I was given many opportunities, and I was fortunate to learn spiritual practices through them.
Prior to this semester, Communal Worship was a practice for me that only existed in one of two ways: Sunday Service and Fellowship. I could clearly see it present in the large gatherings and celebrations with other church members. I can see now that I needed to rethink the idea of worship, and what it means to gather with others in communion. Prior to this, I would likely be open to God’s wisdom shared through others and through me in worship, but most likely would not have offered the Holy Spirit to lead us. The practice of setting an agenda, noticing without judging, listening in silence, weighing options and agreeing together (if it’s God’s will) through God’s merciful hand, was a method that I hadn’t considered.
And yet, I found that I did this naturally this spring when I was faced with one of the biggest surprises of the semester – my precarious continuation of divinity school. I was asked in a new job to choose between the job with no accommodations for divinity school and leaving the job. I began to draw God’s people closer to me. Although the Communal Worship wasn’t conducted as a large, in-person, one-time event, everyone who touched my life was an important part of the discernment. The culminating event happened with just one other person in communion of two. Helen, my new coworker and a devout Christian, was surprised the day that I approached her about my conundrum. As I explained my reason for seeking her out, she heard the story without judgment, and we paused for a moment of silence. And then she said something that I needed to hear: “Well, if what you say is true, God chose you; but have you yet decided if you are choosing God?” Her response was earth-shattering. Given God’s beautiful gift of human will, I realized that I had a choice to follow Him and leave behind this new job and to trust in Him. I chose God. Two weeks later, in what I believe was divine orchestration, I had a new job offer. Now, 4 weeks into the new job, I am able to both work and attend divinity school. Learning to love God in communal worship and discernment with others has helped me to see my life differently and to trust Him. Praise God!
Kathleen Leigh Lewarchick
