Dean's Remarks

Living in the Tension

Often, in writing a message to you, the words flow easily -- an idea emerges from personal devotions, something I have read, or a conversation -- and sharing it comes readily. This month, there are so many competing thoughts and realities --

• We celebrate our graduates! What an accomplishment! We will honor you in the University’s virtual commencements on May 8. And, we applaud our faculty and staff who have continued to serve faithfully and with deep investment through this year of virtual learning.

  • • • And, yet, amidst our celebrations, we are faced almost daily with brutal news of the realities of threats and harm experienced by African Americans and Asian American/Pacific Islanders that cannot be explained away as occasional incidents. We realize anew that deep systemic change is needed.

      • Lord, help us to pray, speak, and act in support of those at risk and against systemic injustices.

• Many have now been able to receive one or two Covid vaccinations. This provides a measure of relief and a sense of hope to regain connections with family and friends from whom we have been isolated for more than a year.

  • • • And, yet, we continue to mourn those we have lost in this year and those around us who have experienced deep loss and disconnections of many kinds while in isolation.

      • Lord, help us to enter each day with the reality that we don’t know the burdens of those with whom we’ll interact. Remind us to treat each person (including ourselves) with an added measure of empathy and grace.

• There is eagerness and anticipation to return to classrooms, offices, and school sites; to visit museums and libraries; to be in stadiums and concert halls; and to travel.

  • • • And, yet, there is tentativeness among many to re-emerge from isolation, with renewed understanding of how disease is transmitted or how isolation has reshaped them.

      • Lord, help us to live with a healthy respect for how you have fearfully and wonderfully made us, but without fear that paralyzes and isolates us.

During the 2021 Easter season, I realized that we may currently be living similar to the tensions of Holy Saturday. We have experienced shock and tragedies, but do not yet know the joy of the resurrection. We have the tension of fear and uncertainty, while wanting desperately to have hope. I’m reminded of the words of Paul to the Philippians -

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13

I pray for each of us that, as we live in the tensions of April 2021 -- 13 months of working, learning, and living remotely from work, family, friends and church; and amidst the emerging hope of vaccine, reopenings, and reconnections. I pray that we can continue to rely on the One who gives us strength in all times and places. May we be people of hope. And, may we be people of action -- to weep with those who weep, to rejoice with those who rejoice, to give voice to the voiceless and weary, to speak out against inequitable systems, and to honor Him who gives us strength.

Praying for you and yours today!