Here’s what’s really necessary to turn the world upside down

By Dean Collins

Because I’m a president of a faith-based university, today’s passage in Acts 4 gives me pause. We work every day to sell the value of education and the additional value of having your education rooted in the principles of living as a Christ-follower. As Dr. Luke tells the story of the expansion of the early church, the well-educated religious leaders were astonished by the boldness of Peter and John. In spite of the fact “that they were uneducated, common men,” they were basically turning the local community upside down.

Suppose someone walked away from a meeting where you were the presenter and their review of your appearance, the way you carried yourself, and your content was, “I perceive that our speakers tonight are uneducated and common folk.” What would they be saying? They believe you didn’t go to the right schools and universities. Maybe that you were more suited for some trade than to be a leader, teacher, or pastor.

Feeling common

Over the years and especially in my decade or so of consulting with all size companies and their executive teams, there were many times I walked into the room as the hired expert and felt more like I was the uneducated and common fellow compared to the pedigrees and experience of those I was there to help. I can remember one time waiting on the top floor of a high-rise building where the executives of a Fortune 100 company had their offices. I had been recommended by a friend to this company to coach a C-level executive. I knew a little about the company but nothing about the man I was about to meet.

I saw a marketing piece on a coffee table and picked it up. It had bios of the executives, and I quickly looked up the gentleman I was about to meet. He was a graduate of Harvard Law School and a seasoned executive. I was definitely feeling like an uneducated, common sort of guy compared to what I was reading. I said a quick prayer as I was greeted by the man I felt so inferior to. I discovered he was highly competent and they were wanting to give him additional responsibilities. He was basically interviewing me.

He asked where I grew up, where I went to college both undergrad and grad school, and then asked about my executive coaching experience and corporate background. As a former HR executive, I could hold my own, but I was feeling like a lightweight compared to what I knew about others they had hired. After an hour he told me he wanted me to be his coach. He said he could tell I was a believer, as was he. I worked with this company as a coach for eight years.

Time with Jesus

He recognized I spent time with Jesus. He wanted a coach who brought insight not simply from what any consultant could read in a book or at the latest seminar. He wanted a coach who sought wisdom from God.

Part of what I learned at Atlanta Christian College, now Point University, was how to read and study Scripture and how to apply it to life. I have great respect for what large universities can teach. We need these institutions who have specialized programs to help our country and the world stay competitive in many areas. But without a commitment to knowing God, his Word, and applying his wisdom, we are in a desperate situation.

Sometimes those who choose the smaller and faith-based college or university are looked down on because they don’t seem the most sophisticated and can’t possibly compete with the graduates of more prestigious universities. But the impact for Jesus of anyone, with a degree or without, who went to an Ivy League or a small Christian university, will be in direct proportion to the time they spend with him.

Go ahead and get your education and your degree. We would love to have you as a student at Point University where I work! But regardless of what you do about formal education, make absolutely sure you spend time with Jesus. If you do, others will notice. And you might never be able to imagine what God will do with your life.

Your time with God’s Word
Acts‬ ‭4:11-14‬ ‭ESV

Photo by Greg Rosenke on Unsplash

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