Relocation!
A moving story (in more ways than one!).
After thirty-six years of sanity (with some lack of lucidity in between: three years in Massachusetts, and two in the U.K.), I’m losing my senses: I am leaving Texas. Today. August 1, 2021.
Here’s the news:
As of July 1, 2021, I have been on the faculty at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, to teach preaching in the Fall. After almost a decade-and-a-half teaching at Dallas Theological Seminary, I’m uprooting and moving, lock, stock, and barrel, to ye olde town of Louisville, Kentucky.”
Read all about it here.
Moves are tough.
The thing that hits you is change. It hits you hard that things have changed, time has passed, and that nothing can be reversed. . There is no return to the memories of yesteryear, the relationships that once were, the friends once relished, the activities once enjoyed. Things have changed. There is no opportunity to turn back the clock, correct the mistakes, do things undone. Things have changed. There is no more the security of the known, understood, and loved. Only the future, with its obscurity, strangeness, and uncertainty.
And for a single person especially, a move from familiar surroundings, distancing first-level relationships and numerous other close associations—whether they be family, friends, colleagues, students, parishioners, small-group members, or patients—is always painful. So while I am excited by the prospects ahead, the immediate future is tinged with sadness. But I rest in the comfort of our God who is in control of all things!
In some sense, as one moves, one has to create a new identity, for the old is partially erased: new friends, new places, new routines, new everything. Moves are tough.
All through the Bible folks have moved. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and a whole host of others, including the entire nation of Israel, more than once. In fact, life itself, is pictured often as a move, a journey, a walk.
… as Christ was raised from the dead …
so we … walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:4
In the early days of Christianity, believers were collectively called people of “The Way.” And a whole Gospel (Mark’s) is structured as a move, the “Trip of Discipleship.” It seems like this is God’s modus operandi. To get us to uproot. To shake us out of our comfort zones. To make us look elsewhere for our stability.
By faith Abraham, when he was called,
obeyed by going out to a place
which he was to receive for an inheritance;
and he went out, not knowing where he was going.
By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise,
as in a foreign land, …
for he was looking for the city which has foundations,
whose architect and builder is God.
Hebrews 11:8–10
Yup, there is only One who is stable, unshakeable, unchangeable. The Rock who is our God.
Yahweh is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
For who is God, but Yahweh?
And who is a rock, except our God,
Yahweh lives, and blessed be my rock;
And exalted be the God of my salvation.
Psalm 18:2, 31, 46
Moves are tough. But it gets us to focus on the immovable One.
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”
John 14:6
And he who has brought us safe thus far will surely lead us Home.
May God providentially continue to guide all our paths into the future for his glory!
(And, of course, I appreciate y’all’s prayers for my relocation!)
Abe Kuruvilla is the Carl E. Bates Professor of Christian Preaching at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville, KY), and a dermatologist in private practice. His passion is to explore, explain, and exemplify preaching. 
18 Comments
Excited for you!!!! If you teach any online classes would love to audit and continue growing in preaching!
Many blessing!
Thanks, Logan!
Congratulations on your new position in Kentucky, Abe. We praise God for putting you in our lives, and we will miss you even though we haven’t actually seen you in a while. We know how tough moves can be having made SEVERAL in our past, and pray that God would smooth out the rough spots for your move. May He bring new friends to you quickly and may He ease you into the new society at the new seminary. D & J
Thanks, Dan and Julie!
Abe,
Congrats on your new position. I know they will miss you much at DTS. Praying for safe travels and a fruitful ministry
Forrest
Thanks, Forrest!
God Bless you on your travels! Hope you will continue with your Homiletix! You are a blessing and know you will continue to be a blessing to many.
Thanks for the kind words, Alina!
God bless you in your new move! Pray for wisdom and have a great new time of teaching the next generation! Ken Kause
Thanks for your encouragement, Ken!
Wow, that’s big news! I am grateful for having heard your incredibly powerful sermons locally. I hope SBTS will let you put your future sermons on Youtube. All the best to you Dr. Abe, may God continue to bless you in all your endeavors.
God bless you, too, Amin. Thanks!
Congratulations on your new adventure! I often think of you fondly. We have a new pastor here in Oklahoma, I showed him one of your blog posts that related to his sermon. Turns out he has heard you speak and has some of your books, he was very impressed that I knew you! Continuing to pray for you and your ministry!
Thanks, Sherry!
What a small world.
All God’s blessings on you and all yours!
Wishing you the best with your move. may the Almighty continue to uphold you and lead you in your new chapter at Kentucky!!
Best wishes
Sheela
Sheela, many thanks for the wishes, and especially your prayers!
Prayers, Dr. Abe Kuruvilla! Yes, moves are tough but it gets us to focus on the immovable One. So true!
Thanks, Sam, for the well-put words. Amen!