For Heaven's Sake
“26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards,[a] not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being[b] might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him[c] you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.””
One of my favorite songs of the season is a riff on the classic New Year's melody of Auld Lang Syne. It has been swirling around in the back of my mind as the holiday season has ushered us into this new year of 2024 and as I've attempted to reflect on the past several months of being a fellow in preparation for the daunting task of sharing my thoughts on this platform. The lyrics flow as such (hopefully, you're humming the tune in your head):
“Should nothing of our efforts stand
No legacy survive
Unless the Lord does raise the house
In vain its builders strive
To you who boast tomorrow’s gain
Tell me what is your life
A mist that vanishes at dawn
All Glory be to Christ!
All Glory be to Christ our King,
All Glory be to Christ!
His rule and reign will ever sing,
All Glory be to Christ”
Coinciding with the beginning lyrics above, I've asked myself for years, "Does what I'm doing even matter"? I was easily discouraged in college as my thoughts and convictions were turned into numbers and letters or whenever I got a little too existential with my thoughts and ended up in the pit of "Are any of my thoughts even my own?" Migrating these notions to being a fellow, I often still think this way. After some soul-searching and intellectual correction thanks to people like Tim Keller, Dorothy Sayers, and St. Augustine (to name-drop a few of the incredible minds we get to learn from through this program), I have come to the beginning of a conclusion: What I do has purpose and dignity when, instead of groaning "for heaven's sake" at my circumstances, I cheer for Heaven's sake, all Glory be to Christ! This acclamation is countercultural and forces one to set aside the pride that we all carry so we may better know the workings of the Father in our lives. In Fellows, we can glean from the Lord's redirection of numerous lives who now echo that cheer. We can join in and silently sing "All glory be to Christ'' as we explore more of his likeness, both written and experienced. I have been in awe of the breadth and depth of the communities (plural) we have access to through this program. Our circle is not just the size of our class; God uses this program to connect his beloved on a deeper level so that we may carry the cries of His Glory in our workplace, at church, in the grocery store, downtown on Broadway, hiking at Percy Warner, on trips to Alabama, DC, Florida and far beyond that.
Witnessing the Lord's handiwork in the lives of numerous speakers at conferences and our leadership lunches every Monday has been so convicting. It is inspiring to give an audience to those who are really "about" their faith. This aspect of Fellows reminds me that faith is not a trend; it is more than the term "religion," and it doesn't have to look exactly like anyone else's. It's a beautiful dichotomy in the Christian life to have a unique relationship with the Lord that can be shared with others in community. It is private and public, intimate and individual, yet still collective. As a fellow, I have witnessed the Lord in this through the conversations and growth that stem from the various paths we walk each month.
To be a fellow can be very challenging, as much of our circumstances transcend our control. Still, through the provision of the Lord, each of us gets to experience being lifted up and encouraged by those around us who evidently and selflessly strive after a lifestyle of "for Heaven's sake." I mean, after all, it's a bit strange to have a young 20-something suddenly enter one's home, the church, and the workplace, all under the premise that we are trusting in the Lord and his people to help us learn how to be "adults." In many ways, this world is unfriendly to such choices- welcoming new people and being the one receiving such greetings and grace can both accompany fear and doubt that challenge our comfort. Still, we are called beyond the comfort of the world by the one who created it, and he desires for each of us to walk boldly in His promises and by His example. As a fellow, I have been frequently reminded that even in my weariness, His majesty never diminishes.
My final charge is this: When you live for Heaven's sake, the Glory of our King is undeniable. The cool breeze of winter's sigh becomes a refreshing air breaking through the heated fog of our rushed society. The smile of a friend tastes just as sweet as that first bite of a GooGoo Cluster—the work of our minds and hands shifts from mundane and purposeless to enriching and enlivening. There is no guarantee that these changes will happen instantaneously. Often, we must go through frequent stages of painful choices, trials, and confusion. But, when we choose to surrender our efforts and boasts and admit we were not created to walk this earth alone, we can more harmoniously worship together with all of creation: For Heaven's sake, All Glory Be to Christ!
Olivia Ortmann Class 11
Hometown: Edinburg, IN
Graduate of Grove City College, PA
