Wednesday, July 6, 2011

carry us over



I was hiking on Jenny Lake on our vacation in the Grand Tetons this past summer. I wished it could have lasted for 2 weeks instead of a morning as it was all so beautiful around the lake. My family and I took a pretty well worn trail alongside the lake and past numerous people as we hiked. There was even a moose close to the path just eating away! It was beautiful looking out at the mountains initially, but as we hiked closer the peaks were all but hidden and we became swallowed up in the dense trees. At times we'd see hills, but the closeness of the mountains kept us from seeing their fullness. We hiked for two and a half miles and passed over a swollen river bursting with ice water from the snow above us. I loved the whole experience. Unfortunately my wife twisted her ankle and was in a lot of pain, so instead of walking back-which I had really wanted to do- we took a boat that carried us all over Jenny Lake back to our starting point. It ended up saving Angela a lot of pain.
Sometimes in life we're taken out of the "perfect situation", the dream job, the dream house, the educational track that should have led to a great future. Were "sidelined" as they say in sports and have to sit on the bench for a time. This can be a short time or a very long time depending on your perspective. It can be hard because you can feel unimportant and insignificant. You can feel lonely and wonder if your adventure is over and all you can do now is look back. I've struggled with that the last 5 years. Not always vocally but more in my head and struggling to look forward and envision with God what's next. But one thing I have done this past year is trade in my leather briefcase for a backpack. You see I began realizing that my Father had something yet to teach me and using the backpack was a reminder to me that I'm not done learning yet.
I was reading the story of Moses the other day and meditating on his situation. For 40 years he was raised up in the seat of luxury and power. But then one day it all ended. Moses saw injustice done against one of his own people. So he responded in anger to stamp out the injustice with his own injustice. Suddenly everything was taken away. All his privilege was gone and he found himself in the desert herding sheep. He was raised in a culture that despised shepherds and now he was one himself! What do you think Moses felt for the next 40 years in the desert? Probably like a nobody. He probably reminisced about those glory days back in Egypt. But God wasn't finished with Moses. He's not finished with us either. Perhaps he has us in a place where we can learn. Where we can listen. Where we can join in the work he's prepared beforehand for us to do. But we need to trust him. We need to realize that when he's taken us out for a time he does it out of a heart that loves. He wants us during these times to grab hold, climb into the boat and allow him to carry us over to where we need to be. Maybe it is something insignificant. But who are we to judge those things anyway? Instead we need to just rest in his grip. Let him carry you for a season. He's weaving something that someday we'll get to see.

Monday, June 6, 2011

What big cities can't give us!


I used to live at the doorstep to a couple big cities. San Francisco, Portland and Antwerp in that order. I love what they offer in terms of activities, creativity, architecture and opportunity. Did you know that Tokyo has 32 million people in one city! Talk about a sea of life and dynamic potential!
But whenever I leave the city and head for the hills or the sea there is something in me that opens and breathes free. I'm not usually conscience of this until my car or bike leave the city limits and then something like a tight balloon releases. I don't totally know why this is. But cities tend to reflect the works, power and ability of man. The country and wilderness reminds us of where we've come from and the vastness of the one who has made all those creative beings in the first place!

As many times as I have seen mountains, trees and waterfalls I never tire of them. It all tends to draw me in. Deep calls to deep as my father says in his book. What is deep inside of us rarely comes out in most circumstances in life. But sometimes our emotions get touched by a song, a film or a story. Other times we are drawn by some mystery that we hardly understand in the midst of our day. The deep and timeless One calls for us to come and join in. But fear and the need to control the outcomes of our lives keep us from entering into a life we are called to. How can I break free and enter in? How can I join the one who has a love that is never ending and never failing? Much like my little trips out of the city, it is acting both on impulse and plan. In these "weekends away" you begin to explore those foggy beaches and see the peaks more clearly behind the clouds. The mystery is still there but you have become more familiar and allow your heart to open. It is much less analysis and much more experiencing that takes place because the One we're opening up to is personal versus other. And this person is good. I encourage you to begin this journey. Stay open and expectant for the unexpected!

Monday, May 30, 2011

Traveling, Inspiration and my hope for this journal


I was travelling through the Columbia Gorge recently on the way home from a trip to Portland Oregon and witnessed an amazing sight. It was the beauty and depth of nature all around me. It was sunrise over the water. It was the abundance of rushing waters crashing down the sheer rock face cliffs. It was the still and peaceful ponds below. As I stopped to take it all in, you could hear a chorus of birds singing to their maker. It was early enough that they weren't drowned out by the rush of freeway noise. There was a train that roared passed but soon was gone. The birds and trees and water and wind continued their song as if it had never come. Are we like this? Rushing through life with all power and swagger yet hardly making a dent on the world. Perhaps we do make a dent through success, fame, wealth or power. But are the after effects life enhancing or simply the pollution of death? These woods and trees and immense rock cliffs above me spoke of a faithfulness of being and character. Living trees, hills and birds that both sing for joy and groan with burdens. Is this just colorful language or something more? I believe it is a reminder of the One who creates beauty and recreates these same characteristics in each of us. It is the one I love and call Father.