World-view Blessings in Junior College, at Germantown

Appreciating Providential “World-View” Blessings at the Germantown  Campus

More of “Scripture Signposts for Hiking through Life:

Happy Trails Guided by God’s Word (Volume 1: 20th century)”

Dr. James J. S. Johnson

For who hath despised the day of small things [ י֣וֹם קְטַנּוֹת֒ ]? For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet-stone in the hand of Zerubbabel; these seven are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth. 

Zehariah 4:10

The prophet Zechariah was assured, by the LORD, that the reconstruction work of Zerubbabel would eventually lead to goal completion, due to God’s providential blessings on the work assigned to Zerubbabel:

Then He [i.e., the Angel of the LORD] answered and spoke unto me, saying, “This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”  

Zechariah 4:6

When you think about important aspects of your life, do you recall some of the “early beginnings”—the so-called “small things”—that provided a foundation, or a launching-pad, that projected you toward later achievements in life? Yet God, being omniscient (and thus foreknowing), sees not only “small” beginnings, He also sees the future outcomes of those beginnings.  Amazing!

Also, it should be noticed that the truly valuable achievements—whether in the life and career of Zerubbabel, or in our own lives and careers—either comes from God Himself, or it never happens.  It is not our “might” or “power” that produces real successes in our lives and careers; rather, it is God’s Spirit Who gives real success.

In particular, what are some of the so-called “small things” that contributed to your big-picture of life, your so-called “worldview”–about who you are, how you got here, what you are doing, why you are here, and where you are going?

Of course, to specially appreciate my “worldview”—as God has given me opportunities to learn about Himself and about the enormous and fascinating creation that He has made (including myself)—I can recall my student days at Montgomery College in Germantown (Maryland).

Ironically, at the Germantown campus of Montgomery College, by the parking lot, there was (and is) a spherical water tower, painted to resemble planet Earth—so a glimpse of that water tower was a “world view” (pun intended, so to speak.

Although I began taking junior college courses at Montgomery College’s Rockville campus (including Meteorology, English Composition, Volleyball and Softball) during my senior year of high school, I stretched my Associate of Arts degree program into the spring of A.D.1980, graduating at the Germantown campus—which then had the unique “world-view” water tower next to the parking lot.

What kind of “small things” occurred during those student days at Germantown?

Although most of my Montgomery College coursework occurred at the Rockville campus (e.g., meteorology, math, ancient history, physics, general chemistry, general biology, microbiology, honors microbiology, and first-semester organic chemistry, etc.), at the Germantown campus I served as a lab assistant (while taking second-semester organic chemistry), as well as driver of the campus recreational vehicle, and participated in student organizations (including student newspaper writing, Phi Theta Kappa, Christian students fellowship, philosophy club competition, etc.). 

As a convinced young-earth creationist, since my late teens, I sought an overview of science basics—both geophysical and life sciences—as a knowledge base to supplement my “work-in-progress” Biblical studies (which would include Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic during the years immediately following my Montgomery College days in Maryland, as well as a mix of more sciences and humanities).

And, to this day (looking back to those “small beginnings”, 40+ years ago), I appreciate that every heartbeat in my chest, and every breath in my body, is a gift from the Lord Jesus Christ (Daniel 5:23).

As I write this, as a grateful graduate (with my A.A. being my first of several degrees to follow), I’m wearing my Montgomery College cap, with it Germantown colors, grape purple and silver-grey. 

Yes, I have much to be thankful for—including the happy days God gave me at Montgomery College (which days began when I was single, and which finished when I was married). 

Looking back, the modest graduation ceremony in Germantown, during May of A.D.1980, in the eyes of many folks, was just a “small thing”—but for me (and for my wife) it was a foundational beginning upon which many future “other things” would be built, thanks to God’s sustaining grace and providential blessings—ultimately to fit His big-picture (and ultimately eternal) purposes.  

And God has been working out His providential plan and purposes (Romans 8:28), as the LORD said unto Zechariah the prophet: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts”.

Words cannot express my appreciation and gratitude unto God, for those so-called “small beginnings” in Montgomery County, Maryland.

As I’ve indicated elsewhere, many more blessings and providences would follow, like a stream flowing through the years (and decades) that came after, building upon those Montgomery College beginnings—thanks to God’s gracious providences—leaving Maryland for North Carolina, the later for Texas, with various adventures there and elsewhere (in America and beyond) ever since!