Phillip Bishop, Kinesiology
University of Alabama

I once heard Howard Hendricks of Dallas Seminary tell of being a graduate student and noticing one of his professors studying diligently from early morning until late at night.  When Hendricks asked why this very knowledgeable professor studied so much, the reply was, “I don’t want my students drinking from a stagnant pond.”

As professors we have a multitude of great opportunities: invitations to write, travel, speak, and teach.  Herein lies a great danger.  Not only can we become stagnant academically because we are mostly busy people, we can become stagnant spiritually as well.

 God Doesn’t Do Things My Way

By nature I am not a team player.  I value efficiency, and there is nothing more efficient than doing things myself, by myself.  Strangely, God doesn’t do things my way. 

God grouped us into a team of Christians called the church.  We are to exercise our gifts within that Body.  We are to encourage and be encouraged; to give and receive; to stimulate one another to love and good deeds; to grow in the likeness of Christ and help others to do the same.  We are not intended to be stagnant or independent.

Ministry to my colleagues and students on campus is basically an “overflow” ministry.  That is, I can not give away what I do not have. 

Without Me You Can Do…

In John 15, Jesus tells us that we ought to abide in Him: “Without Me you can do nothing.”  A friend of mine says that this passage means we ought to have a daily quiet time.  I think my friend sells the passage far too short.

Certainly having a time of prayer and Bible study is crucial, but “abiding” means much more.  Paul says that “In Him we live and move and have our being.”  That’s what I’m after, sometimes more successfully than others. We do that through spiritual disciplines, through fellowship, and  through the Holy Spirit.  

At times I have found myself too busy to pay attention to my own spiritual vitality.  That leads me to impatience and a wrong view of my calling.

I Am Not Here To Promote Myself

Recently I had a series of students and faculty come into my office, one after another.  I was a bit frustrated that I had a LOT to do, and couldn’t get it done, because of all the interruptions.  Then God spoke to me and reminded me of the key reason I am on campus.  I am not here to promote myself, my skills, or my agenda.  I am here to serve Christ and my students and colleagues. 

God reminded me that serving Him is my mission, not “getting things done.”  I need to see my campus as Christ sees it. To do that, I must be abiding, and growing in Him.  So, as Hendricks asks, “From what source are my students drinking?”  Maybe more importantly, from what Source am I ministering?

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© 2008  Phillip A. Bishop       Used by permission of Faculty Commons