Credentials
I have a few educational credentials acquired over the years. Upon graduation from Adair County High School (home of the fighting Indians) in 1979, I headed for Knoxville, Tennessee. I attended Johnson Bible College (now Johnson University TN) and graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies and Preaching. I promptly entered the ministry as a Youth Minister. In 1993, I graduated with a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling from West Georgia College (now University of West Georgia). I love learning. In 2003, I graduated from Barney Fletcher School of Real Estate with my real estate sales person license. In 2006, I graduated from Barney Fletcher School of Real Estate with my real estate brokers license. I love learning and growing. I’m still learning and growing. I’m thankful for technology that makes my truck a classroom via Podcasts that I listen to daily. I heard a quote from Dave Ramsey that went something like this: “your degrees are worthless, but your education is priceless”. Please don’t interpret my educational background as boasting or self-promotion. I would trade it all in just to know the Lord more fully and to make Him more known to others. My education is worthless if I don’t know Him. My education might make for a better life, but it doesn’t do anything for my eternal life.
Paul was “hammering” the Corinth Church regarding the fact they were impressed with credentials of others. He broke it down for them and then pulled it together to make his point. Check this out….
23 Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
30 If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am. (2 Corinthians 11:23-27,30 NLT)
Paul’s teaching and his example are profoundly simple – he doesn’t boast to make himself look strong, He gives examples to make Christ look strong. I am humbled to think about the multiple times the Lord has forgiven me for my stupid choices. I am so weak, even if I appear so strong. He knows all about me. He knows my thoughts. He knows my selfish heart. He knows my powerful ego. He knows everything, and He still loves me. I want to lay down all of my credentials at His feet. I want to pick up His credentials and be consumed with knowing Him and making Him known. His credentials embraced by me, prepare me for eternity and dramatically enhance my life while I’m here on earth.
Pressing On!
Dwayne