It has been over a week since I walked across the stage at Campbell University Commencement. I throughly enjoyed my time in undergrad, and I am looking forward eagerly to seminary in Atlanta and starting work in ministry with Northside UMC.
As I move forward in life, I’d like to share some brief proverbs that I took from my undergrad expirence. I treasure these saysing, though for most of them I cannot recall their initial orgin. These short maxims have cemented in my thoughts, and I can only assume that they are truths which God thought I needed to learn. So, here we go:
Seek first to understand, then to be understood.
Conflict isn’t bad. It is a natural part of any relastionship, and your ability to manage it will determine the success of that relationship.
Never let someone else define the terms of debate.
True freedom comes not form earthly powers or fleshly pursuits, but from right living before God.
Peace is more than the absence of war.
More often than not, we do not really want to answer the question ‘what would Jesus do?’
When we seek to be of service to others, we must first seek to do no harm.
There but for the grace of God, go I.
“To sing is to pray twice.” – St. Augustine
“Preach the gospel, and if necessary use words.” -St. Francis
Over the next few weeks, I hope to explore these proverbs more. They have shaped the person I have become during college, and I’d very much like to explore their improtance.
Kena Hawkins Newkirk 