Inspiring and encouraging quotes for writers.
Contrary to what most students want and expect a teacher is not a bridegroom; he can open the door to truth, but he cannot carry you across the threshold and deposit you safely on the other side.
posted by Tricia Goyer at 1:25 PM
Tricia Goyer is the author of thirty books including Songbird Under a German Moon, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.
2 Comments:
Interesting that Harris would negatively comment on the teacher/bridegroom metaphor. That is the exact relationship of Jesus to His students.
All teachers aren't necessarily mentors, as Jesus was. But any devoted mentor serves as a bridegroom, who carries his students across the threshold and into the new life and truth he advocates.
Hmm . . . I don't think teachers are bridegrooms. They show their students the door. They can give them tips for crossing the threshold, but no teacher, mentor, coach, can carry the other person across. The other person must make the choice and take the steps.
I can teach, offer advice, mentor all day long (and sometimes it seems I do with my writing friends, teen moms, and kids). But I can't carry anyone. I can't force them through the best doors. (Though sometimes I sure wish I could!)
I do like the metaphor of Jesus as a bridegroom. Personally I can work and work and work at some things and still the door is unreachable. Yet, Christ in me, can make crossing the final threshold a reality.
And in the end, the best teaching I can offer is to point people to Jesus, who can take them across.
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