Joy

My Journal - Agatha Nolen

Last week was “intensive week” at Duke Divinity School. Yes, I’ve enrolled in the 4-year M.Div.-Hybrid program where I’ll be on campus in Durham, NC three weeks each year (August, January, May) and then have synchronous on-line classes for the remainder of the semesters.

I won’t be in an ordination track but instead hope to be a better disciple and devote more time and attention to serving as a lay leader in my church. I fully expected to approach these studies as I had with all other academic programs: with a serious intensity to learning.

Something is different about this program and the people I’ve met. All the professors emphasized that this is not about being the best preacher or even the best student, but instead it is about being formed in the likeness of Christ and growing into our individual spiritual gifts. It may mean being the best at some aspect, but it is not a competition. They all echoed that their job is not to “inform” us, but instead to “form” us.

I was amazed at the “joy” from both the professors and my fellow students! This is the largest incoming class in the history of Duke Divinity, so we have already made history by just showing up. It is as if God declared us “beloved” before we’ve had a chance to do anything! What a wonderful nurturing feeling to be in this new community.

The past 18 months have not had a lot of joy. The ravages of the COVID pandemic on healthcare workers and individual families have brought untold grief that has left virtually no one untouched. As my father would say, “If it weren’t for bad news, there wouldn’t be any news at all.”

But then there is God among us, encouraging us as we hear in Psalm 126:5-6: “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.”

In my preaching class, we are reading a book by Susan Sparks, “Preaching Punchlines: The Ten Commandments of Comedy”. As an American Baptist pastor, Susan encourages us to put some joy back into our lives and to “write down three to five funny things every day.” This shouldn’t be too hard for me with a rambunctious two-year-old golden retriever!

I plan to look for joy every day, even though it may be in hiding like “good news.” Hopefully you will hear that joy in one of my future sermons!

Blessings,
Agatha