Studying social work during my second year, I was placed at a home for the elderly in Berea, Johannesburg for my practical studies. Most of the elderly at this home were abandoned by their families. They felt deserted, unloved, and alone. The staff told me that one lady was literally dumped on the pavement in front of the home. Her family dropped her off, with only a suitcase. She didn’t have a booking. She hadn’t been on a waiting list. The home took her in because she had nowhere to go, and no one to turn to. This dear soul kept hoping that her son and his family would come to visit her. Of course, this never happened. Sadly, her story wasn’t unique as many residents shared the same experience, although none of the others were left on the pavement like an unwanted pet in a cardboard box. Who can work in such an environment without compassion for these unwanted members of society? The betrayal they suffered is beyond comprehension. In my role, I sought to bring comfort to these women through conversation and prayer.

I had the opportunity to visit with the elderly residents individually for an hour at a time, three times a week. I had a handful of elderly ladies assigned to me. Their families had rejected them. They needed the assurance of God’s love, faithfulness, and unwavering care. Without exception, every single one requested prayer at the end of our sessions.

Naively, I included this detail in my reports to the university. I was told by my lecturers that I shouldn’t pray with my “clients” as we don’t worship the same God, even though we all read the Bible and professed to be Christians. According to these lecturers, we each construct our own God according to our personal ideas and interpretations of the Bible. You see, according to these lecturers, God is not who the Bible says He is; He is a social construct. 

As a young person, and a young Christian, I felt torn. I was convinced that God is not a social construct. He is God as the Bible introduces Him. I couldn’t agree with my lecturers. I couldn’t turn my back on my relationship with God, yet at the same time, social work was a dream I had nurtured for a long time. I believed in people’s ability to change, and that people deserved to be treated with dignity and respect. I felt a calling toward healing the brokenhearted and setting captives free. I believed that people should have the opportunity to reach their full potential, and I wanted to assist them in doing it.

This clash wasn’t just personal as it reflected social work’s broader approach to prioritizing neutrality over faith. I faced a conundrum as my personal faith intersected with professional or societal expectations. I could hardly believe how universities and colleges subtly, and sometimes overtly, subverted my faith and discouraged me to live according to my convictions. These institutions were supposed to encourage debate and diverse ideas, but they were strongly opposed to personal faith and beliefs. I was discouraged and clearly instructed to leave Christianity out of my social discourses. Even when clients requested prayer, I was instructed to refuse this request. I faced a profound struggle between the pressure to conform to secular frameworks that prioritize human constructs over my spiritual convictions.

I understood that social work embraces humanity and all its diverse ideas. It doesn’t judge anyone. Social work helps people to become the best version of themselves according to their own ideas, ideals and social constructs. It attempts to strengthen relationships, regardless of whether these relationships go against Biblical principles. This created a broader cultural clash, where faith was often sidelined in favor of relativism or neutrality. I felt that social work and social work ethics were considered superior to, and more important, than my Christian beliefs. According to my lecturers, social work came first. The Bible came a very distant second, if at all, fighting for a place in society.

This created inner turmoil. Jesus clearly stated that we should make a choice, and if we choose to follow Him, we shouldn’t compromise. I couldn’t leave the core of my being alienated. I am a Christian first, a social worker second. I felt torn, but before I made the choice to prioritize my Christian identity over compromise for the sake of social work ethics, circumstances intervened and I was forced to stop my studies. Life took me on a different journey. Twenty-one years later, I finally completed my social work studies. This time I felt more secure, and I had the wisdom to know that I had to be open about who I was. Clients had the choice whether they wanted to interact with me, but they could only make an informed choice if they knew who I was. I refused to denounce my faith. I didn’t force my beliefs on anyone, but my clients had to know that my perspective was formed and informed by the Bible. 

The Bible was my foundation that provided clarity amid societal shifts. It was my anchor in an ever changing social environment. I believed, and I still believe in the absolute truth of the Bible. 

Because of my personal conviction, I say no. God is not a social construct, and I refuse to submit to such a viewpoint. He is as the Bible portrays Him. Our social construct has to conform to the Bible. The Bible does not conform to our constructs. This is the reason why I’m so grateful for the Bible. Educational institutions and society could, and did attack my faith and beliefs. They caused confusion and doubt. I needed the irrefutable Word of God to anchor me and keep me grounded.

Today, I believe that God intervened in my studies. He kept me safe and drew me near. I don’t regret choosing God above my studies. It’s a choice I make daily, and I gladly choose God every day. Social work embraces new ideas and simply goes with the flow. God has established His Word. It’s my safe haven, my refuge, and my strong tower. It’s as relevant today as it’s ever been, yet it’s not swayed or changed by changes in society. This is the firm foundation I need for my life. Today, I have joined the ranks of the elderly. I don’t know how long it will be before God calls me home, but I do know that He will be the same God I first met in the Bible, and the God who remained constant throughout my life. Praise God for the Bible.