What happen to the child?

I remembered I shared to you all that I have a friend who previously was a professional photographer, and he shared some stories in the photography field to me which has gave shocked to all the photographer in the world. One of the stories that he shared is about Kevin Carter. His committed suicide after he received the Pulitzer-prize. He is a photojournalist. This picture taken by him showing hows a heart-breaking scene of a starving child collapsed on the ground, struggling to get to a food center during a famine in the Sudan in 1993. In the background, a vulture stalks the emaciated child.

That is just a summary of it. My friend told me that why he suicide is because one of the interviewer ask him one question, "after you took the picture, what happened to the child?" Well, on that day after taking the picture he was very happy and so eager to show his friend what he has captured. This question has troubled him so much until he cannot accept it and commit suicide. And beside him there is a notes saying "I am sorry" showing how guilty he is.

I start with this as introduction to the thoughts that I had in my mind. Recently I have ask myself a question, "What scholar do after they had received all the certificate in Theology, Divinity and etc?" I asked " What do they do with the knowledge that they have?"

Maybe you may disagree with me, but I just shared some of my thoughts and experience. Sadly to say, scholar continue to debate on their point of view rather than focusing on the great commandment, go and make disciple of all nation. I thankful for them also in giving me some knowledge in Theology and for their contribution in this area.

Even in their preaching, sometime I do not feel the power of their sermon not because it does not speak to me, but because, they keep on debating and questioning and using the question to challenge us what they had in mind but never in action! Most of the time when I heard all this, I will ask, "have you done it?"

Now, when I am writing this entry, I felt I am one of them. I really impressed by a word quoted from John Piper, "The best way to waste your pulpit is to preach your own thoughts instead of preaching GOD's thoughts"

I think a pastor who has passion for people is far more greater than a Scholar with their PhD! Knowledge without action is dead! If we do not live out Theology, then Theology would not live in people lives. Theology is dead if we do not live it out. Understand so much about God through theology and did do what God heart desires is really a wastage.

Now I truly understand advice that has been given to me by Bishop before I came here to study. "Ka Seng, it is about passion and searching for God's heart desire."

Share Jesus, touch lives more important than producing more books and get more idea in debating on Theology.

The prize-winning image: A vulture watches a starving child in southern Sudan, March 1, 1993.

Isaac