a few months ago i had some deep thoughts regarding that annual launch into the real world that our little bunch of seniors (along with many others) will be experiencing in the next few weeks. this was the result. i post it here just because it's something that i enjoyed writing and i wanted to share.Ok, here it is…Hintze’s long-winded letter of unsolicited advice and admonition! You had to know it was coming!! I tease, but please know that I’ve been writing this letter for a while now. It is a composition that has grown in my heart over a vast multitude of experiences—some directly related to you and others of a personal nature—that have caused me to pause and ponder the deeper significance of the new and exciting opportunities you will face as you graduate and enter a different stage of life. So without further ado, here is that unsolicited advice!
First of all, I encourage you to develop relationships with your professors and then work to make them proud. We will strive to blossom in the light of those to whom we admire and recognize as people of significance in our lives. One of the most dangerous choices you can make is to stay on the side-lines and look for ways to do the bare minimum. Yes, you will find that the route of mediocrity has it’s immediate benefits, but you will rob yourself of the rich feeling of a job well-done and eventually, that habit of mediocrity will combine to launch you into a mediocre job in a field where you will then have to exercise long-atrophied muscles in an attempt to climb a ladder of increasing opportunity. Whereas, if you strive at the little things—that first big paper or project in your chosen field, shooting for the high ‘A’ rather than the minimum requirement in your field ‘C’, making a dedicated effort to work far enough ahead of time so that you can sleep the whole night when something is due the next day—you will earn the respect of people who are in positions to advise and direct you and to recommend you highly when the time comes. And yes, perhaps you may still land that mediocre job, but you will be far more prepared to climb that same ladder where better opportunities are waiting.
Remember that, if you are a Christian, you are always a representative of Christ. If you are kind and sincerely helpful to a fellow classmate who is struggling with the course, gracious to a rude graduate student, or dignified in a heated class discussion, you represent Christ. If you are easily swayed into trying “new things” that you know you should abstain from, curled over the edge of the nearest waste-holding receptacle in your body’s effort to right itself after an evening of over-indulgence, or develop a reputation as a very friendly, helpful girl amongst the guys in your circle but find yourself at the sharp end of every gal-pal’s tongue, you represent Christ. Being a Christian does not hinder your ability to make your own decisions because we are all given the free will to choose how we will behave in every instance. Being a Christian means you should desire to make those choices in a way that will glorify the One through whom you claim Life. You can and will make mistakes, but your mistakes should be innocent in their intent. Be on guard, because Satan can use a new “church” friend just as easily as he can the hard-partying frat boy. Some of his efforts will be more obvious than others.
The world has developed a sense of what Christianity is based on the people who claim to represent its values. Oftentimes, those people only represent particular ideals that they naively believe to be biblical rather than seeking to represent the One to whom they claim relationship. Show your world the authenticity of a true relationship with Christ in such a way that they will notice that even though you claim the same Christ, you behave in a very different manner. In order to do that, you must know for yourself how Christ behaved and then seek to actively model that behavior. He did not shrink away from those of lowly profession or design, but neither did he engage in the deviant behavior of others in a way to “connect.” He stood as one of compassionate strength in the face of embarrassing weakness, and he stood as one of uncompromising integrity in the face of misapplied religious intolerance. He was gracious with those who recognized their errors and adamant against those who sought to mangle the Truth that he came to fulfill. He was an advocate for the down-trodden and the mighty hand of judgment for those who used religion to judge. Seek to emulate Him in ALL you do.
Finally, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18).” Wise words from Paul—a man repeatedly tested in his faith and who had every right to harbor bitterness and seek revenge. Choose peace—a peace that comes from doing the right thing; a peace that recognizes the trials of life, but chooses not to succumb to the cowardice and self-loathing that come with compromise. There will be times when you will be falsely accused, discriminated against, and rejected, but let these experiences be an act of pruning rather than a source of bitterness.
I love you dearly and I will always hold a special place in my heart for each of you. I pray God’s blessings and favor upon your lives and I hope that you continue to recognize His guidance as you grow and mature. You are beautiful young ladies with such promise…I look forward to the day when I’m able to see the fruition of the hopes and dreams you carry today. The choices that you will make in the next few years are significant—make them wisely and with much prayer.
I leave you with the words of Peter, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (2 Ptr 3:18)”
Blessings,
Beth Hintze
First of all, I encourage you to develop relationships with your professors and then work to make them proud. We will strive to blossom in the light of those to whom we admire and recognize as people of significance in our lives. One of the most dangerous choices you can make is to stay on the side-lines and look for ways to do the bare minimum. Yes, you will find that the route of mediocrity has it’s immediate benefits, but you will rob yourself of the rich feeling of a job well-done and eventually, that habit of mediocrity will combine to launch you into a mediocre job in a field where you will then have to exercise long-atrophied muscles in an attempt to climb a ladder of increasing opportunity. Whereas, if you strive at the little things—that first big paper or project in your chosen field, shooting for the high ‘A’ rather than the minimum requirement in your field ‘C’, making a dedicated effort to work far enough ahead of time so that you can sleep the whole night when something is due the next day—you will earn the respect of people who are in positions to advise and direct you and to recommend you highly when the time comes. And yes, perhaps you may still land that mediocre job, but you will be far more prepared to climb that same ladder where better opportunities are waiting.
Remember that, if you are a Christian, you are always a representative of Christ. If you are kind and sincerely helpful to a fellow classmate who is struggling with the course, gracious to a rude graduate student, or dignified in a heated class discussion, you represent Christ. If you are easily swayed into trying “new things” that you know you should abstain from, curled over the edge of the nearest waste-holding receptacle in your body’s effort to right itself after an evening of over-indulgence, or develop a reputation as a very friendly, helpful girl amongst the guys in your circle but find yourself at the sharp end of every gal-pal’s tongue, you represent Christ. Being a Christian does not hinder your ability to make your own decisions because we are all given the free will to choose how we will behave in every instance. Being a Christian means you should desire to make those choices in a way that will glorify the One through whom you claim Life. You can and will make mistakes, but your mistakes should be innocent in their intent. Be on guard, because Satan can use a new “church” friend just as easily as he can the hard-partying frat boy. Some of his efforts will be more obvious than others.
The world has developed a sense of what Christianity is based on the people who claim to represent its values. Oftentimes, those people only represent particular ideals that they naively believe to be biblical rather than seeking to represent the One to whom they claim relationship. Show your world the authenticity of a true relationship with Christ in such a way that they will notice that even though you claim the same Christ, you behave in a very different manner. In order to do that, you must know for yourself how Christ behaved and then seek to actively model that behavior. He did not shrink away from those of lowly profession or design, but neither did he engage in the deviant behavior of others in a way to “connect.” He stood as one of compassionate strength in the face of embarrassing weakness, and he stood as one of uncompromising integrity in the face of misapplied religious intolerance. He was gracious with those who recognized their errors and adamant against those who sought to mangle the Truth that he came to fulfill. He was an advocate for the down-trodden and the mighty hand of judgment for those who used religion to judge. Seek to emulate Him in ALL you do.
Finally, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18).” Wise words from Paul—a man repeatedly tested in his faith and who had every right to harbor bitterness and seek revenge. Choose peace—a peace that comes from doing the right thing; a peace that recognizes the trials of life, but chooses not to succumb to the cowardice and self-loathing that come with compromise. There will be times when you will be falsely accused, discriminated against, and rejected, but let these experiences be an act of pruning rather than a source of bitterness.
I love you dearly and I will always hold a special place in my heart for each of you. I pray God’s blessings and favor upon your lives and I hope that you continue to recognize His guidance as you grow and mature. You are beautiful young ladies with such promise…I look forward to the day when I’m able to see the fruition of the hopes and dreams you carry today. The choices that you will make in the next few years are significant—make them wisely and with much prayer.
I leave you with the words of Peter, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (2 Ptr 3:18)”
Blessings,
Beth Hintze
4 comments:
Wow...it has been a long time. In your off time, did you also forget capitalization? Hahaha! I'm just picking!
hahahahaha...ok, smartie! I'll use captialization. I've been working in MS Word and it tends to auto-correct most of those issues, so I guess I've gotten a little lazy with the proper usage of the shift keys. I'll try to do better!
Bethy Boo... you always have the just right thing to say. <3 June 5th!! Can you believe it? 4 years ago I was in your C-Fuge group and you still cant get rid of me.
So this makes me think again of my precious 2nd graders that I taught my first year as a teacher. Can you believe that they were the graduating class this year?! You are a sweet teacher Miss Hintze!
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