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trends and perspectives of our day or well-intentioned efforts to make our message relevant and culturally sensitive. It is intentionally walking with others in a way that acknowledges their views and values without allowing them to tarnish our own. Theologically, this willingness to walk with others honors the Imago Dei image imprinted on the DNA of each man’s soul, because those who do share our views or resemble our likeness are still image bearers of the King. To embrace them is not only to embrace God’s imprint on their lives but also the hope of what they can ultimately become in Him.
Practical Application The classroom is full of diverse students with different backgrounds and beliefs. So, we realize that not everyone will choose the path to salvation. Yet, we must treat our students with the same kindness and grace that has Christ showed us. As educators, this kindness and grace will take different shapes and forms. But, we would like to suggest that it must begin by loving our students with our actions, not simply our words. It’s not enough to know the Bible and recite Scripture. The New Testament reminds us to love as we have been loved, to feed the sheep in our fold, to withhold judgment from the one whose vision is impaired, and to meet the needs of those on our path. We must, therefore, lead our students with the approachable love of Jesus if we hope to open doors, build bridges, and walk paths to readied hearts. As professors, we have the unique opportunity to listen to our students’ stories and guide them along in their disciplines while seeking to be the hands and feet of Jesus. For many, this may be the first time they experience such courtesy.
Our encouragement to fellow educators is therefore to co-journey with students in practical ways. Just as Dr. Speakes might position herself beside a flight student to offer presence and direction as they soar to new heights, or a music professor comes alongside students to concert together as they practice new scales and scores, or an engineering professor collaborates on the design of new systems or product concepts, so we too can position ourselves in strategic ways to serve, support, and accompany our students as they journey spiritually. This may involve meeting a student for coffee, offering prayer and support, serving as a mentor, or inviting a student to join you and your family for church or an event. But the strategy is simple: Display an interest in the lives of your students, create strategic touch-points to connect, and then find practical ways to invest in their lives — even if they do not embody the beliefs or values that are inherent to your faith. It is our hope that, in time, the seeds we plant will generate growth that lasts long after our season of co-journeying comes to an end, and — if we dare to dream — that one day our students will become the hands and feet of Jesus as they walk the road of life with others.
M. Seiler, “Three Journeys.” St. Matthews. Sermon, September 9, 2010. http://www.stmatthews.com/sermons/Archive/MSeilerMar292009.pdf (Accessed 11/20/2020). 1
2 Edward T Welch, Side By Side: Walking With Others in Wisdom and Love (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2015). 3 Rod Dreher, The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a PostChristian Nation (New York, NY: Sentinel, Penguin Random House LLC, 2018). 4 Timothy Keller, “Cultural Dis(Engagement),” Redeemer.com, January 2018, https://www.redeemer.com/redeemer-report/article/ cultural_dis_ engagement
