An interesting interview...

It's raining outside and it seems like it won't stop for the night, so I write... I have meant to write for a long time, and it is not till now that I do it. Forgive me friends if you've been anxiously waiting to read this blog (haha, I know that's all you could think about, right?).

Well, something interesting happened today. As many of you know, I am applying for a Masters in Family Therapy in the National University of Mexico (UNAM). Today, I was intervied by the lady that devised the program in this university. This is supposed to be the final step in the application process, I will find out on June 8th if I make it in or not.

As I went in her office this afternoon, she seemed cold and distant. I really didn't think much of it, she asked me to write a short essay, and as I was doing that, she stopped me and said: Wait, what are all these classes on your transcript? Acts of the Apostles? Youth and Family Ministry? What is this? Is it some sort of religious thing? I went on to explain that I had gone to a Christian College, and that I had received a degree in Psychology, but that I had also taken Bible classes. She seemed shocked. From that point on, EVERYTHING about the interview was about my christian faith. Forget about my experience in college, the motives to enter the program or my aspirations...She bombared me with questions: What would you do if you had a client that was thinking of aborting her baby? would you advise her not to do it? what about homosexuality? what does your faith tell you about that? What do you think about premarital sex? and how would you help people if you don't have that experience?

Her questions didn't surprise me that much. I answered the way I thought was appropiate and felt pretty confident about it. What surprised me was how bad being a christian and a psychologist was for her! You would think after all the experience she has working with families and individuals in the therapy field, she would be more flexible and less judgemental.

After the hour-long interview, I walked out of that room with mixed feelings. Fist, I was happy for not having felt insecure or attacked. I know why I believe in God, and I know my faith does not interfere with the way I look at the world. Rather, I look at the world through my faith in Jesus! and that makes it even more of a responsibility to help and give to others all that I am.
Yet the other part of me was thinking: The world is SO confused about "us" christians!
I am not trying to overgeneralize, but I wonder, why was this lady feeling so threatened at the idea of a christian woman becoming a family therapist? What has been her experience with christian people that makes her react like this? Why are so many others who feel like that towards or faith? Doesn't it make you wonder? Are we really teaching the truth in LOVE? Are we so commited to doing God's will, that we actually face situations around us with compassion and mercy? Or do we condemn and reject people in the name of our faith and sound doctrine? Are we enaging in God's mission because we LOVE people and because He LOVES people?

I realize that lady comes from a whole different worldview than mine. I know she didn't mean to humiliate me or make me doubt. I embraced her concerns as a reminder of why we as Christ followers are to engage our world with the responsibility of bearing God's trademark. Let us face God's mission with seriousness. Let us do it through love.

May He teach us how to love everyday, for the rest of our days.
Yuli