“If we don’t change direction soon, we’ll end up where we’re going.”
Posted By Grant on July 26, 2007
This quotation by comedian Irwin Corey pretty much sums it all up. If you don’t change direction, you’re going to wind up exactly where you’re headed. Brilliant, eh?
So Camille and I are leaving BJU. It’s an awful nexus because we’re so invested in the institution, in our respective departments, in our students and colleagues, in our way of life. So do we stay, living at odds with our conscience, or do we go, leaving what’s become comfortably safe, familiar, easy? The very institution that’s ever-so-politely holding our exit door open taught us years ago to live with forthrightness before God and man. How is it that comfort and convenience could now excuse us from living by those same principles?
That the suddenly-thrust-upon-us questions of “Where to go? What to do? How to live?” are swirling around in our heads is sad to acknowledge. Have the two people we were just seven years ago changed so much? We two who had fairly adroitly negotiated the swim upstream at a Big 10 university; we two who took on one of the most intimidating of tasks, arm-in-arm, ready to face the onslaught? Have we become so flabby in character in these intervening years that the consequence of obeying the Holy Spirit’s clear direction is actually something that gives us pause? God help us.
And yet, by God’s grace, we’re leaving. Leaving BJU. Two people who have defended it when attacked and who sought to fulfill our promise of alerting it in error, we’re leaving. With the decision made (for us), we stepped out because (S)omeone decided it was time.  And when the soles of our feet struck the water, we watched with wonder as God, in fewer than two weeks and well past the deadline for such employment decisions to be made, graciously provided an associate professorship at a Christian University nearly as close to our house as BJU is. Interesting, isn’t it, that seven years ago He arranged for us to live so far from campus in the first place? Everyone else lived so close and wondered why in the world we’d chosen to live so far away. Now we know.
To borrow from my dear wife (and a little bit from Ecclesiastes):
There is a time for everything…
… a time to be born and a time to die,
… a time to plant and a time to uproot,
… a time to kill and a time to heal,
… a time to tear down and a time to build,
… a time to weep and a time to laugh,
… a time to mourn and a time to dance,
… a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
… a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
… a time to search and a time to give up,
… a time to keep and a time to throw away,
… a time to tear and a time to mend,
… a time to be silent and a time to speak,
… a time to love and a time to hate,
… a time for war and a time for peace.
He has made everything beautiful in His time.
Associate Professor of Voice at North Greenville University in Tigerville, SC.
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You don’t really know me, but Camille and I know each other. I’ve been praying for your family! God is so good!
Grant, I appreciate your comments on how God has led you and Camille. I was just looking at these verses today, and you came to my mind. They seem to be a theme for all you and Camille have gone through in your life together, and they are so appropriate now. Congratulations on God’s perfect timing for this change in your lives. Sarah
I am a friend of Camille’s from GCM…I have followed with interest this growing process and I am praying for you as God moves you to this next place of service to Him. God bless you both for your courage.
Dr. Lewis,
Sad you’re leaving, but wanted to thank you so much for all the insight you gave me the last year as one of my profs. I also thank God for leading you to somewhere new! Take care.
If God’s hand moves you, there may be all sorts of external effects, ripples that accompany. But none of those ripples is as significant a reality as God or his purposes for himself or for you.
This most recent move was as sure a thing before the foundation of the world as your birth was. So I’m praying that God will continue to give you grace to respond as Christ, the displaced one, did.
Praying for you folks. I had Camille for freshman speech way back in the day … as in “fall of 1992.”
I spent 10 years at BJU before heading out into the broader world of evangelicalism (and a much better understanding of Grace).
God will prepare His path for you, and it will be glorious. God bless!
Semper reformandi.
Grant and Camille,
We attended HBC together, and you both came to TX to visit our church back in the 90′s. I am excited about what God has in store for both of you. My daughter Heather N. told me about your decision, and sent me a link to your blog. Contact me, I have a question to ask. Our prayers are with you!
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As I reflect upon the turns and curves in my life, I am excited to see what God has for you two. Change is a part of life (to everything there is a season). God has created all parts of creation to change. Amazingly, creation is like a big arrow that points to our great Creator who NEVER changes.