Seamless Lives of Faith | Hebrews 13:14
Rachel Haines ‘25
“For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.”
The whirlwind of life as a Fellow has been a saturated learning experience. I already know I will come to appreciate this time more and more over the coming years, so I am truly trying to savor it all - moment by moment. The phrase “already, and not yet” is often used to describe the time post-resurrection, pre-return of Christ on earth. We have already seen much of God’s glory, but we have not yet seen His full glory. My efforts in savoring this season of fellows have prompted me to consider how the “already, and not yet” may be revealed in this phase of life. Certainly, fellows life presents challenges, quandaries, and difficulties, which can be reasonably classified as the “not yet.” Thankfully, the “Alreadys” have been more numerous. But both should prompt the same response: looking to heaven and the fulfillment of all things.
Colonel James “Dooms” Day gave our Seminar on Monday of this week, discussing the topic of “Whose Kingdom: Faith and National Security.” His time as a pilot in the Air Force has provided him with extensive experience in challenging scenarios that force him to grapple with living out his faith. Of course, all of us encounter this challenge daily, but, to quote C.S. Lewis’ Learning in Wartime lectures (as did Colonel Day): “War amplifies the human condition.” Day was often tasked with making decisions that carry more weight than the average choices we make in the day-to-day, and often looked to scripture for discernment. Day also referenced Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s perspective: “War and death reveals that the world is not as it should be, but that it stands in need of redemption. Christ alone conquers death.” Jeremiah 29:7 is a further call to live well in the “not yet:” “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” In closing, Day asked us to consider what sphere of influence we believe God has called us to and what difference we can make there.
Learning from people like Colonel Day, and others involved in the program, alongside the other fellows has been a huge blessing. These times are enriched even more when we are able to learn and discuss hard topics, such as war. I know that it’s critical that we don’t shy away from difficult conversations, and the fellows year has already given many opportunities to strengthen that muscle in ways I am already grateful for. God is using this year to cultivate a more full understanding of what community does: it reveals that we are relational beings. Creation as a whole - Life! - reveals that we were made for a relationship with our Creator. We have the privilege of relationship with our Creator and other created beings here on earth, but even our best experiences here are but a dim reflection of the true relationship that is yet to come.