Academic Dilemma
I am suddenly doubting the wisdom of this piece. It does not smell like the fear of the LORD. It may be a case of Job 38:2. Comments welcome.
‘Tis a senseless costly waste
To dig a mine in a mirey place
To spend long hours in worldly books
Complying with the council of comely crooks
Crooks- say you- why deem them so coarse?
They take a small fortune, place career on a horse
And bedraggle me off the level course
Thy Word is truth and life and light
I yearn to learn it with all my might!
But time is pressed by crooks’ inflation
As I pay to live by their dictation
What is the cost of breaking the tie?
And what is the benefit gained thereby?
The cost is the loss of a paper certificate
Which qualifies me to negotiate
For a few of the livings available on earth
Whose stress with their cost is commensurate
But what is the gain from parting ways?
From self-directing my training days?
The benefit gained is eternal I say
For the best years of mind
Shan’t be spent on benign
Subjects only divine and the useful
Divine I concede is paramount indeed
But useful- say you- what is that?
Why- languages cultures both formal and raw
Bricklaying medicine I’ll learn them all
When the Lord pours his Spirit on me from above
Hands feet and lips shan’t be awkward to love
But looky- say you- here
You’re only a dreamin’
Putting food on the table ain’t as easy as yer seemin’
All dreams are a fancy
Til they’re blighted with hunger
Be practical good man and awake from your slumber
A bachelor’s will secure a steady living- don’t go scheming
Dear friend you may trust that a trade I won’t forego
A livelihood is vital to be living here below
Business skill is found not only in professors’ knowledge
Thus a simply more efficient way to train is out of college
I thank thee for thy council but it comes from only one
Of the many ways to live one’s days beneath the blazing sun
Remember Proverbs says the godly pauper is the better
While the bachelor holder’s clawing deadlines fit him in a fetter
Seeking third the Kingdom drains a life and makes it vapid
Seek ye first His righteousness, these things shall all be added
- Josh Rodatus, October 2009
October 7th, 2009 at 12:29 am
Wow Josh. As I read the first three stanzas, I thought you were quoting from an “old classic” poem. When I got to the “looky,” I scrolled down to see who wrote it and, lo and behold, you are the author! (Good job!) I enjoyed the journey the poem took me on. Made me suspect that you have doubts about pursuing secular academics(?). Just remember, as Christ is in you, everything you learn can be interpreted through His light and truth– no matter who the source of the teaching is. Secular university may be a desert that He has for you to pass through. The kids and I read in John 6 today about the “hard teaching” that made many disciples turn away from following Jesus. When Jesus questioned the 12 about their commitment to Him, Peter replied, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” As long as the university doesn’t cause you to turn back from following the One who has the words of eternal life, God can use it for good in your life. (Sorry, I didn’t mean t
o write a book!)
October 7th, 2009 at 1:28 am
My first thought was, “Wow! That was well written!”
My second was, “The funny thing is that you might not have been able to write that so well without the education that you have thus far endured.”
On further reflection…
Genesis 11:4a – “Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves…”
Whenever I hear the word “name” in Scripture I think that it might mean “authority”. In this case, it does: “8034. A primitive word (perhaps rather from 7760 through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare 8064); an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.” –catch the last 3 words–
The problem with the Tower of Babel was that they were setting themselves up in rebellion against God’s authority just as our secular educational system has done throughout. (A ‘name’ for ourselves==an authority for ourselves.)
In submission to God even this otherwise modern day “high place” can serve and honor God. It is our duty to submit all things to God. Genesis 1:28a: “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.”
I wonder if you would feel this way if you attended a different college such as PHC where they have a different view of the purpose of education than UMMC would have. Education, in my own definition, has less to do with securing one’s livelihood than it does fulfilling one’s calling. That has certainly been my view since we began home educating our children in 1988.
October 7th, 2009 at 9:13 am
Agreed, PHC would have been completely different. Responding to your second thought
…
My dad remarks
I owe my skill
To schooling past
So why be ill?
In metre art
I’ve had no drill
By gut alone
I wend my quill
If college part’d
Then I could will
To draw some time
And learn the skill