Well, like always the last few weeks have been a blur of activities, and I have to force myself to take some time off and relax. What do I mean by "time off and relax"? Why, I mean, write this Coffee Talk, of course. Seriously, I find taking the time to write these Coffee Talk letters is actually therapeutic. So, for those of you who read these letters, thanks for allowing me into your lives.
I recently sent a letter of encouragement to a person who is just beginning a degree program. And, I thought to myself, "Hey, my own students could use this encouragement as well." So, I have expanded it and written it below, for you.
Encouragement du jour
All of us who decide to go on for more education get a bit worried about the demands. But, my motto is that you cannot fail if you keep on plugging away at it.
You can do it. . . but you just have to work hard
There is a wonderful statement by Tom Hanks when he was playing the character Jimmy Dugan in the movie called, "A League of Their Own." One of his players was complaining how hard it was to be a player of a top team. She was complaining about the time on the road, the long hours, etc. She said, in exasperation, "It's too hard." Tom Hanks, i.e., Jimmy Dugan, responded to her statement by saying,
It's supposed to be hard.
If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it.
The hard is what makes it great.
Are You one of the 40?
You have to remember, not many people (compared to the American population) do what you are doing because it is too hard. Over the years, I have spoken with many people who when they find out what I do, often say: "Oh, I've always wanted to go on for a college education." The educational statistics when compared to the general population is quite revealing. I don't remember now where I got these stats, and if anyone out there can add to the precision of these stats, please let me know.
Ratios of bachelor's degrees conferred per hundred persons at the typical year of graduation in 1996 ranged from 9 in Switzerland and 11 in Austria to 36 in Australia and 35 percent in the United States. (http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2000/digest99/chapter6.html)
Allowing for the increasing number of graduates each year, still, it has been "guesstimated" that only 40 Americans out of every 100 have Bachelor's degrees. So, for those of you who do, you are in a very select group.
Or, people will say something like, "I have a B.A. degree, and I've always wanted to go on for a graduate degree." Then, almost without fail they add words similar to these: "but, I'm too busy, and I don't have the time."
Are You one of the 14.4?
What about Master's degrees? What do you suppose the ratio is? Only 14.4 Americans out of every 100 have Master's degrees.
Are You one of the 10?
What about doctors degrees? Only 10 in 100. What about multiple doctoral degrees? Who knows?
In essence, those who never go on for college are saying, "It's too hard." Now, I don't condemn anyone for this. It is too hard for many people. These are not flunkies that don't want to work; these are serious people with successful careers or ministries who simply find the prospect of juggling all they do along with serious academic study too difficult. There is nothing wrong with this. It is wise of them to "count the costs."
Jesus Himself speaks of the issue of counting the costs when it comes to being His disciple: but, the principle of "counting the costs" can apply to every area of our lives. Jesus says,
Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, "This fellow began to build and was not able to finish" (Luke 14:28-30).
Jesus does not say, "Just do it!" He says, be wise and count the costs. So, I have no problem with people who say that they would like to go on for more education but, "it is too hard."
They are right, it is hard!
So, when educated, self-motivated people find higher education too hard, then this all the more lifts you students up as a serious students.
The HARD is What Makes it Great!
Jimmy Dugan is right; the hard is what makes it great! It is the hard that makes you realize that you have truly accomplished something.
So, please, don't be afraid of the hard. You should learn to see hard as the prize. You can do it.
Hang in there. I'm "pulling for you."
With all of this in mine, you must go forward to see the next Coffee Talk.
Send comments about this, or any, Coffee Talk to Rick Walston at: CES - @ - ColumbiaSeminary.edu
(Please note that you will need to take out the spaces and hyphens before and after the @ sign . . . this is placed this way to avoid spam emails.)
