Nothing But Fancy

At the end of February I received a letter from Vanderbilt Div. School Admissions:

“I am delighted to inform you that you ahve been admitted to entering class of 2009 at Vanderbilt Divinity School… selected to receive a merit-based award that will cover 55% of your tuition..”

To be honest my first feeling was releif.  I was relieved that I was accepted and I waited for the excitment to set in.  It is now mid-April and I’m still waiting.

I am a person who can get excited about the smallest things… why am I not excited about this new step in my life?

One credit hour at Vanderbilt divinity is $750.  I want to be a missionary.  If one credit of my law school or med school was $750 I would feel great about investing in my future financial returns.  However, my vocations future returns have nothing to do with this earth.  Which is EXTREMELY EXCITING… yet, makes it a terrible idea to take out a $80,000 dollars in student loans over the course of 3 years.

As for assistantships… it’s been said that Vandy, being an academic institution, usually gives those to PhD or MA students (the academic degrees), rather than the MDiv students (professional degree).  So, I’m praying that the United Methodist Church would like to pick up the tab for my educational endeavors.  The UMC, for the most part, understands the spiritual investment they would be making in me!

Regardless of excitement or financial issues, stepping out in faith is as scary as it is real.  I sing songs that say “where you lead I will follow,” “everything I am for your Kingdom’s cause,” “You said, ask and you will receive, whatever you need”…  everything includes not only my present, but my past and future.  MYSELF is the only offering that I have to give.

I am excited to see how all of this fits with God’s promise for my life.