Last week, we began a new series by an anonymous contributor, a recent PhD recipient who has been involved with ESN and wanted to share lessons he learned during graduate school. Earlier this week, I received word that our guest writer has accepted a new faculty position at a state private Christian university. Praise God!
Here is Part 2 (of 4) of “13 Ways of Looking at Graduate School.” Click here to read Part 1. ~ Mike
5. Look for the “poor and needy” to befriend and invest in
Jesus said in Luke 14:12-14:
When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment. But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.
I have been learning to look for the unbeautiful people, the unpopular people, the lonely people in the corner of the room with no one to talk to, the people who can’t help you in return, the boring people, the physically handicapped people, the international students who can’t speak good english, the nasty people who don’t have any friends, the poor people, the people who don’t have any connections, the weird janitor who never smiles, the frumpily-dressed grad student who smells like he rarely showers, etc… to seek to befriend them in order to point them toward Jesus… to agape-love them, to pray for them, etc.
I have a long way to go to consistently obey Jesus’ directive. As an aside, I have noticed that many benefits and wonderful friendships have come my way because of this habit. But that’s not a sufficient reason to do it. Rather, let us seek to befriend these people because of love for God. [Read more…] about 13 Ways of Looking at Graduate School: Part 2