Greater Faith

Graduating high school during the height of the pandemic was yet another obstacle threatening to set me back. Growing up in one of the tougher, under-resourced communities of Houston, Texas, I encountered innumerable challenges early on in my life. I felt prepared to navigate this reality. I wasn’t always this confident. Before I attended SVMP, I had begun to question my own worth and capabilities. I never considered applying to an Ivy League institution given some of the negative stereotypes I had heard about them. It also did not help that as a woman of color, I did not feel I had the right support system coaching me throughout my adulthood. I was constantly told to "settle for less" and "be realistic" with my choices regarding my journey toward success. I was perceived as stubborn and impractical simply because I refused to live inside the box I was put in by my close-minded family members. If I was not going to get the exposure and insight from within, I was determined to find a way out.

I discovered the Summer Venture in Management Program through a Google search for educational opportunities for undergrads, and knew that I had to try, even if I thought I felt like it was out of my league. I received an acceptance letter (yay!), and after 6 breathtaking days, 15 insightful class sessions, and meeting 10 professors and 180 scholars from all over the world, here are my top 3 misconceptions from my experience at HBS.

Myth #1: I don't deserve to be here.

I initially struggled with imposter syndrome in the first few SVMP cases, feeling like I didn't have the seemingly prerequisite academic pedigree and brand-name work experiences to succeed. I excelled despite these doubts. I found the atmosphere to be positive and supportive, with diverse and accomplished students who were not competitive, but rather sources of support. Everyone was different and talented in their own ways. The openness and welcoming nature of the SVMP cohort led me to embrace my differences and speak confidently (and humbly) about my accomplishments.

Myth #2: The classroom and professors are intimidating.

The HBS professors I encountered were not intimidating at all, as I initially thought they might be. Instead, they were real people with a wealth of knowledge and connections, and most of them were quite funny and charismatic. Class sessions were interactive and insightful, and there were no "wrong" answers. Each professor leveraged a unique way of keeping students engaged and challenging them to dig deeper when problem solving. Overall, this made every discussion topic very interesting! My favorite part of the classroom environment was the debates between classmates as we defended our perspectives on a case. This was not my traditional academic setting and hearing different/opposing viewpoints prepared me for what would occur in a work environment.

Misconception #3: I don’t need an MBA.

Navigating through SVMP was fulfilling, and although I had not seriously considered this option before, I have decided to pursue an MBA. The insight I gained from this experience has proved me and my preconceived notions wrong. I enjoyed the opportunity to be my authentic self without any pressure to dim the light of my character. This has been a journey that sparked my personal development and ignited the flame to become a well-rounded, influential leader.

SVMP has had a significant impact on how I view my future and has helped me challenge the misconceptions that I previously held. I have created memories and built connections throughout this program that will last a lifetime. I am more confident now and eager to accomplish the “impossible.”

God whom nothing is impossible

Gentile Widow

1 Kings 17:7–14 CSB

7 After a while, the wadi dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 9 “Get up, go to Zarephath that belongs to Sidon and stay there. Look, I have commanded a woman who is a widow to provide for you there.” 10 So Elijah got up and went to Zarephath. When he arrived at the city gate, there was a widow gathering wood. Elijah called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup and let me drink.” 11 As she went to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand.” 12 But she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I don’t have anything baked—only a handful of flour in the jar and a bit of oil in the jug. Just now, I am gathering a couple of sticks in order to go prepare it for myself and my son so we can eat it and die.” 13 Then Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid; go and do as you have said. But first make me a small loaf from it and bring it out to me. Afterward, you may make some for yourself and your son, 14 for this is what the Lord God of Israel says, ‘The flour jar will not become empty and the oil jug will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the surface of the land.’ ”

Gentile Mother

Matthew 15:21–28 CSB

21 When Jesus left there, he withdrew to the area of Tyre and Sidon. 22 Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came and kept crying out, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely tormented by a demon.” 23 Jesus did not say a word to her. His disciples approached him and urged him, “Send her away because she’s crying out after us.” 24 He replied, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came, knelt before him, and said, “Lord, help me!” 26 He answered, “It isn’t right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she said, “yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus replied to her, “Woman, your faith is great. Let it be done for you as you want.” And from that moment her daughter was healed.

Advantage of the Churchgoer

Romans 3:1–4 ESV

1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.”

Transition To Body

Jesus’ fame was spreading & Great crowd’s followed Jesus

Matthew 4:23–25 ESV

23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

Crowds Astonishment of Jesus’ Authority

Matthew 7:28–29 ESV

28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

Jesus Cleanses a Leper

Matthew 8:1–4 ESV

When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”

Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-love

Matthew 8:14–17 ESV

And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

Body

Outsiders Faith Opportunity

Matthew 8:5–7 CSB

5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, pleading with him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible agony.” 7 He said to him, “Am I to come and heal him?”

Without Jesus there is no prospect for healing

Disciples Faith Description

Lord, I am not worthy

Matthew 8:8 ESV

8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.

The centurion also represents true discipleship

The centurions were the actual working officers, the backbone of the army

The discipline & efficiency of the legion as a fighting unit depended on them.

Every centurion referred to in the New Testament appears to be a worthy man.

Cornelius a Centurian

Acts 10:1–2 ESV

1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.

Shipwrecked Centurion

Acts 27:1 ESV

1 And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius.

Acts 27:11 ESV

11 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said.

Acts 27:42–43 ESV

42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land,

Yet, the Centurion says Lord Knows am not worthy (humble)…

2 Corinthians 2:15–16 ESV

15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?

Say the word

Matthew 8:9 ESV

9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

Anyone in authority can issue orders knowing what he or she says will be done even though he or she themself is not present at the scene of operations.

The Centurion understands the nature of true authority i.e. Jesus as LORD has intimate authority

Recognizes Jesus’ Authority to send

Realizes Jesus’ Authority to call

Respects Jesus’ Authority to command

Jesus heard this…

Matthew 8:10 ESV

10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.

Jesus amazement at who has faith

Jesus speaks to those who follow Him

The Centurion- the description of a disciples faith

Insiders Faith Issues

Matthew 8:11–12 ESV

11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Son denotes one who shares in this thing or who is worthy of it, or who stands in some other close relation to it.

The sons of the kingdom are the ones who should have been saved but…

Those who are in a position of privilege but who have failed to live up to their calling

Matthew 21:28–32 ESV

28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

2 Peter 1:5–11 ESV

5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

At the same time that Jesus assures the inclusion of Gentiles, he dramatically foresees the exclusion of those who seem to have an assured place:

This declaration must have shocked Jesus’ listeners, but it is consistent with the Old Testament prophets, who consistently called Israel back to God. Jesus will continue to appeal to Israel to repent and enter the kingdom he has inaugurated.

Matthew 3:7–12 ESV

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

The new nation is symbolized by the centurion, on the basis of faith in Jesus

By Grace you have...

Ephesians 2:8–10 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Transition To Close

Centurions’s faith

Matthew 8:13 ESV

13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.

Hebrews 11:1–2 ESV

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

John 14:2–3 ESV

2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Close- Jesus the Word incarnate in flesh

Kingdom of heaven Wedding Feast for the King’s son & Weeping gnashing of teeth

Matthew 22:2–13 ESV

2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.” ’ 5 But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ 10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Many are called, but...

Matthew 22:14 ESV

14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Romans 8:28–30 ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

John 14:15 ESV

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

1 John 5:14–15 ESV

14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

John 1:11–18 ESV

11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

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