"Live the questions. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer." Rainer Maria Rilke
Most of you know that I teach. Many years ago, one of my first jobs and passions out of college was as a teacher in a K-9 school near Louisville, Kentucky. Now, I teach college undergraduates. In almost every course I teach, I will often leave students fumbling around with what I'm sure they feel are vague assignments. While students generally want to know specifically what they have to do and know and how long I want it, I respond with unsettling comments like: "It needs to be long enough to explore and answer the question," or I don't know what you need to know yet, because I'm still figuring it out." I want the students to learn to deal with the uncertainty and, in that condition, permit themselves to explore the topic with (hopefully) some creativity or curiosity. Those who seize the opportunity will always reap a greater reward than those anxious only for answers.
I will always tell my students, "It is almost always more important to ask good questions than to come up with good answers." Having answers has always led me perilously towards complacency. I may have contributions or observations to add to the conversation, but --- when I'm honest with myself --- I fully admit that better questions and the best answers will come, if at all, only after a space is carefully created for others to contribute. The grace this adds to the learning community is the opportunity to see in myself and in others greater possibilities than were acknowledged before.
Lord help me to give thanks for the questions and the patience to search for your presence in them.
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The Oakerhater Community is a religious community under the canons of the Episcopal Church. Our purpose is to "discern, enable and support individuals and communities in their vocations of reconciliation." We presuppose Christ's presence in one another and in all whom we encounter. We seek to remove barriers that stand between us and the fullest expression and acceptance of God's love. We affirm in our baptism the unity of all people in Christ — one Body, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism
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For now, only Members of the Community will be permitted to author original posts, but all are welcome to respond and to join in the discussion. Our only request is that as you post, you are mindful of the purpose for this site and for the Community's ministry. We would ask that you include your name and location in your posts so that we might grow to know one another more closely.
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