Poems, Prayers, and Promises from a Country Parson

Last Train to Glory

In about seven days, I will walk across the stage and claim a piece of paper that will promise a diploma “upon successful completion of my degree requirements.” This symbolic move will mark the end of four long years at Asbury Theological Seminary. Like a tattered clothed street prophet all sorts of things are declaring “The End is nigh!”

I completed my last class yesterday afternoon—Exegesis of Jeremiah with Dr. Lawson Stone. It was an inclusio of sorts, for Dr. Stone taught my first class at seminary four years ago. I can vaguely remember that first day. The desk was uncomfortable. The teacher was weird, and the teaching challenged everything I had ever thought about the Old Testament. In some ways, I felt like the scroll had been rolled back from my eyes of my mind. I sat in that desk and realized that the journey had begun.

As I write this, my mind is conjuring up all sorts of memories. So many classes, so papers, so many books, and so many classic moments at the SPO, in the Chapel, and in the cafeteria flood my mind. I don’t have the time to expound upon them, but I will cherish them.

Jesus told his Disciples that the Holy Spirit will bring about remembrance of the things that he taught them. I think the Holy Spirit still brings about remembrance. There have been countless times that Jesus taught me through the lives and words of others. I am trusting in the promise of the Holy Spirit that these memories will remain not only in my mind, but in my spirit until I enter the place where time and memory are no more.

With all these sentimental ramblings, one might think that my time in Wilmore has been a walk through a green meadow full of wildflowers or reminiscent of that famous Coca-Cola commercial where a multitude of folks are singing on the mountaintop. I have experienced such moments, but I have also stepped in ant beds and been stung by bees as I have walked across those verdant meadows.

Seminary is not easy. God calls all sorts of people to this place. I have met all sorts of people. I think Arlo Guthrie pants a poignant and relevant picture of a seminary community in his song “Last Train to Glory.” Seminary is full of saints, sinners, sinners that think they are saints, and saints that think they are sinners. All of us have been called here for different reasons, from different places, but by the same God (that could be debated).

I have been blessed with many friendships while here. I have met traveling companions on this Last Train to Glory. Through God’s grace, I hope we will never loose touch by changing railcars.

I have also been blessed to know folks that have taught me a lot about Grace. It’s been hard for the past few weeks to realize that people you call and know as friends can break your trust. It’s hard when folks who are training to become God for others, break your trust. It wounds your spirit.

A wounded spirit doesn’t heal easily. Trust broken takes time and grace to repair. And as Dr. Kalas says, “some wounds are only healed on the other side.”

So the train continues to run down the tracks. More final moments are on my schedule. Soon I will walk across the stage for that symbolic moment. Until then, I will walk through the meadows of the Holy City and think of that first day. I will think of that day when God’s grace touched my lips and I discovered that the river of life tastes like Ale-8-One. I will remember those late night walks around the campus. I will remember….

I will also hope. I will hope for that day when the train whistle will blow. I will hope for that day when the rumbling and rocking of the train will stop. I will hope for that day when the Last Train to Glory reaches the station. And I will pray that there will be more folks on the train then when I first got on. Amen.

posted by Hugh @ 8:49 PM