Words of Reflection from our Dean of Faculty
Author: Rev. Dr. Dwight Perry
Many years ago, I was at a crossroads in my life and ministry when out of the blue, God dropped Luke 10:38-42 into my lap. The story of Martha and Mary. Since that time, this passage has been a continual reminder to me how subtly, without me realizing it, I can fall into the trap of choosing the good versus choosing the best.
At the beginning of the school year, with my transition as the new Dean of Faculty and on top of that, an imposing ATS self-study accreditation review scheduled next month, I found myself going back to this passage in Luke asking God in what ways am I being distracted from choosing the best (my relationship with the Lord, my wife, my health through proper rest and exercise etc.) and how I can recognize it much quicker in order to short circuit its effects.
Here a few insights He has graciously shown me:
- I know that I am choosing good and not the best when my motive is to simply please people and not please God. Making the time to listen to God through His Word by his Spirit helps me to discern, out of the many voices in my life, which voice is His voice.
- I know that I am choosing good and the not best when I begin to neglect those non-negotiable areas in my life. For each person this is different, but they boil down to three basic categories: my relationship with my own self-care (emotionally, spiritually, and physically), my relationship with those closest to me (my wife, children and grandchildren), and my relationship with what God has called me to do in order to advance his kingdom agenda.
- I know that I am choosing good and not the best when I don’t seem to have time to simply enjoy God’s creation and all that He has provided for me. When I am so busy even doing ministry that I don’t have time to have a conversation with a good friend.
As we begin this new school year together, I want to give you the freedom to come up to me in the hall or on campus and ask me, “Dr. Perry which one are you today, Martha or Mary? “I need those gentle nudges at times, and guess what? So do you. Shalom!
Dr. Dwight Perry is the new dean of faculty for North Park Theological Seminary. Previously he has served as a full-time professor of pastoral studies at the Moody Bible Institute and as a denominational executive with the Baptist General Conference. Most recently, he retired as Regional President and Executive Minister of the Great Lakes Baptist Conference (DBA Converge Great Lakes). Dr. Perry will be leading the way for North Park Seminary’s accreditation visit in late October. His office is on the third floor of Nyvall Hall. Feel free to come visit and get to know Dr. Perry!