Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Princeton... that Temptress

So somewhere Jesus talks about the devil masquerading as something good, an angel of light or something like that. Makes discernment kinda tough sometimes. I get that passage a whole lot better today.

I'm in Princeton. Amy, Soren and I flew in to Philly last night, and spent the evening with our good friends, Raymond and Heidi Bonwell (and their three kids). This morning I met my other good friend, Jonathan, for breakfast at PJ's Pancakes, a wonderful little establishment on the famed Nassau St, that I did frequent enough during my three years here. After a delightful breakfast, we made our way to Small World, the best coffee in Princeton. Then I walked the few blocks over to campus, and my academic senses perked up. I miss this place. I miss the conversations. Right now, I'm eavesdropping on a conversation about the canon. Some may think such conversations are mundane, unnecessary, a waste of time. To me they are invigorating and help fuel creativity for ministry. I feel this lure, a seductive beckon, to return.

"Come, walk among the endless shelves of books again, Erik," she says. Enthralled with her beauty, I am tempted. Someday, I am sure, but not now.

P.S. I don't think Princeton is the devil.