When I first moved to Lawrence three weeks ago, people told me to be careful when the students returned to the University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University. There are more cars on the road and some of them are making erratic moves. They were so right! What's more, being new myself, I've contributed to the situation.
It is not that the students are bad drivers. Many of them are new to town, lost, and simply trying to find their way. There's a parable here.
Being a student involves getting lost, seeking direction, and finding our way. In a sense, all of us are students because we regularly do those things – get lost, seek direction, find our way.
When Christians speak of people being "lost," it often sounds as if we are describing lost causes. However, when Jesus speaks of the lost, he speaks with compassion about people who are trying to find their way and could use the help of someone who cares.
Seems to me that is what Christians ought to be about and what we ought to be doing – caring enough to help others find their way. And, in trying to help, it might be a good idea to remember how often we get lost and how good it feels when someone shows us the way. After all, we are students (disciples) aren't we?
In the first century, Christianity was sometimes called "The Way." Jesus referred to himself as "the Way." I don't think either reference was meant to be exclusivistic. It is pretty clear from Jesus' own life that his way was far more inclusive than the way of the religious establishment. His way intersected the ways of a wide variety of souls and something new came into being.
It's something to think about. And, welcome back for another year Haskell and KU students! We'll try to be helpful if you lose your way and humble enough to ask you for help when we lose ours.