Paving the Way

I was interested in pursuing social work from a fairly young age. When I was in high school, my big sister was getting her Master’s in Social Work. It drew my attention then – deepening over time.  I loved the focus on providing care, honoring dignity, and meeting people’s needs. Volunteering in the community has been an important part of my life. Still, what really drew me to social work is the profession’s commitment to justice – to going upstream, affecting policy, and changing systems. 

Though I anticipated working with children and families as a social worker – God had other plans (perhaps content for another Wisdom’s Dwelling reflection).  All said, I landed in higher education. As a faculty member in a small, public university’s social work department, I have had the great honor to create a learning space with a great bunch of undergraduates. Interestingly, it’s in this role that I find myself relating to John in today’s Gospel. 

Social work matters to me not just as a subject of teaching and learning, but an active profession – one that, at best, is about that upstream work I mentioned – challenging injustices and changing the system.  Through history, though, the profession has, many times, played it safe – providing services and care, without confronting the circumstances that leave people needing services and care. Like so many of my fellow social workers, it deeply matters to me to take aim at systemic change. 

And, I do, in truth, want that to be important to my students, as well. Yet, all I can do is guide them. As a teacher, I pave the way for students to make their own determinations and commitments. I try to create a supportive environment in which they learn the knowledge, values, and skills to be social workers. But there are many factors I do not control.  My students will encounter many challenges and barriers if they question the system and demand change. They may get the message: “This is just the way things are.” They will have to make ongoing choices. 

John’s role was to direct people toward Jesus: “Behold!” He paved the way. He was a guide. Those he guided also faced distractions, barriers, and choice points. I wonder if he ever found this challenging.  I find myself wondering whether I am doing an adequate job in my role as guide, facilitator, educator.  Do my students have what they need to show up as the social workers they want to be? Was John wondering whether he was doing an OK job? Perhaps he was not as big of an overthinker as me. 

John was grounded in his role, and he was hopeful. I choose to be hopeful too. Each day that I am in the classroom, I have a tremendous opportunity to be part of educating, facilitating, and guiding. I try to pave the way, uncertain of the end result. Still, I am grateful to be part of a profession that matters deeply to me – and to be building that community deeper and wider. 

 Today's Readings