The Pulitzer price winning American author and novelist John Updike passed away yesterday at the age of 76. For those who are unfamiliar, I found our good friend wikipedia to be of help - John Updike March 18, 1932 - January 27, 2009)

A friend sent me a quote from a character in one of his works, which I felt was quite relevant for seminary students and pastors alike.

"Do you think this is your job, to meddle in these people’s lives? I know what they teach you at seminary now: this psychology and that. But I don’t agree with it. You think now your job is to be an unpaid doctor, to run around and plug up holes and make everything smooth. I don’t think that. I don’t think that’s your job…. I say you don’t know what your role is or you’d be home locked in prayer…. In running back and forth you run away from the duty given you by God, to make your faith powerful.... When on Sunday morning, then, when you go out before their faces, we must walk up not worn out with misery but full of Christ, hot with Christ, on fire: burn them with the force of our belief. This is why they come; why else would they pay us? Anything else we can do and say anyone can do and say. They have doctors and lawyers for that…. Make no mistake. Now I’m serious. Make no mistake. There is nothing but Christ for us. All the rest, all this decency and busyness, is nothing. It is Devil’s work." John Updike Rabbit, Run p 146.

(HT - Tim Dees)