The Christian as Perpetual Beginner

Edmund Husserl once wrote that "the philosopher is the perpetual beginner". I would willingly and easily substitute "Christian" for "philosopher" in this phrase; if our life in God is an journey into the infinite, then every day, every moment can be seen as a new beginning, a fresh starting point, an inaugural event that leads us into an adventure, a task, or a resting place that we have not foreseen. The resurrection took the world by surprise, offering a beginning where there seemed to be only a dead end. Ought the resurrection not still take us by surprise, not as a cold, disinterested fact but as a truth that gets under our skin, into our hearts, and invigorates us to pursue life, and life to the full, even, dare we proclaim, life that extends beyond and ruptures from within dead-ends, disappointments, and death?

These past few weeks at Kwantlen have been an explicit beginning, something that anyone would recognize as a beginning, so my imagination hasn't yet needed to infuse life into a dead situation (instead, it's more been engaged in imagining how to set up the furniture in the Multifaith Office). There is mostly possibility and excitement before me since the tradition of CRC campus ministry at Kwantlen simply hasn't had the time to stabilize and atrophy into an static institution in need of a prophetic summons. Right now, rather, there is a simple and obvious situation of what Christians are always being confronted with: a fresh moment, a new opportunity to discover God within oneself and within the world.

This morning I encountered the joy and excitement of new life in Christ over breakfast and coffee with a Christian member of the Kwantlen community. Conversation, stories, and ideas were shared as together we imagined what direction the future of a Christian presence at Kwantlen might take. Not only, though, was it the beginning of an important conversation about the role of campus ministry, it also already was campus ministry: two Christians establishing a relationship, a friendship, hopeful and trusting that God is always-already present in each-other. I think we ought not underestimate what life God will bring through the humble beginnings of a friendship that situates itself within the reality of Christ and his kingdom of love.

Right now, then, beginnings are exciting and inspiring. No doubt the task of a perpetual beginner can and will grow wearisome, difficult, and manifestly uninspiring. But for now, a certain positive energy remains, not overflowing itself with an unrestrained passion, but a gentle hum beneath the surface of the menial tasks of setting up an office, scheduling meetings, and sending introductory emails. The Son is always being born in our midst, in our world, in ourselves - by the power of the Holy Spirit may we always find ways to be attentive to that infinite gift from the Father.