Endings and Beginnings

We're just over a week from finishing this year's class - all the students are back at home, carried their by the excitement of the things that they've learned while at CEC, changed by God's hand at work in each and every one of their lives. There were no final exams (actually there were no exams, essays, or similar assignments to speak of at all!) but perhaps they're facing the final exam as we speak - the reality of living the reality they experienced here in CEC now forming their new reality! Have I lost you yet? Let me unpack it a little by the way of "bubbles".

Class of 2019

Every year seems to have its own themes and one recurring theme this year was the talk about bubbles. This was somewhat reinforced with the alumni who returned for a two week celebration of CEC's ten year anniversary. We heard from the returning-students, each one overjoyed to return to CEC, reminiscing about all that they experienced and more than anything, the family that they became a part of. One student in particular made the remark, "I feel like I've come home." Many describe it as a bubble, and in a sense, that is exactly what it is. With no responsibilities other than studying, learning, and memorizing Scripture, one grows in leaps and bounds - one doesn't even have to worry about cooking; other than daily chores and dishes, the time is dedicated and devoted to being in God's Word - how can one not grow??

The evidence of grown comes in many forms in each one of the students. Beyond the perspective-change that comes from a greater understanding of God's Word, transformation takes place as students recognize areas in their lives that need to be changed, decisions that need to be made, people that need to be forgiven, dreams for ministry that form or are affirmed - and all of this builds to the inevitable climax of eventually returning home.

This is where the bubble illustration can break down - it may seem as though each student now leaves the bubble to enter "reality" and yet this is not what we desire for each student to experience. On the contrary, though the time here in CEC has many advantages to it that perhaps one does not experience leaving, what we try to live here during these 14 months, is not just a bubble, as though it's an alternate reality or a make-believe community, but rather reality itself based on how God has completely changed us through Christ's death and resurrection. More than just learning through the classes, our goal is to live in community, learning together, shaping and being shaped by each other and ultimately learning to live in light of the reality of who God is and what He has done for us. Our goal is that each student would learn to live this with greater authenticity, and continue to do so once they leave CEC, in their families, in their communities, and in their churches. If we were to continue with the bubble illustration, it would be to continue to live out what they experienced while at CEC - to take their bubble with them, so to speak.

I know it all sounds neat and tidy on paper, and the reality is messy, but so was life over the past 14 weeks. Living in community is never easy. Confronting areas in our lives (and being confronted) is never easy. But there is a reason the Bible does not condone lone-ranger Christians but rather the Believing Community - the Church. "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing..." More than just "going to church" I believe this is encouraging us to live in community, in spiritual community; "...but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Heb 10:25).

If you think of it, pray for our students, that they would not become discouraged but that they would continue to live out in their homes, communities, and churches, everything that they learned while in CEC. We are encouraged to hear from them, and to hear that they are encouraged as they do just that. Thanks for all of your continued prayers! ¡Dios les bendiga!