Saturday, March 26, 2016

The Jesus Train


As I was about 3/4 of the way through a walk around Chambers Bay, I heard a train approaching.  Since I was near to the tracks at that point, I thought it could be fun to wait and take a picture of it as it went by.  Despite the sounds seeming to indicate that it was just around the corner at several times, it took several minutes for the train to pull into sight.  As it rushed along its track, its wheels made their terrible screeching noise against the rails.  It was an unpleasant noise, but necessary for the train to accomplish its purpose.  Once the train passed, the view looked almost exactly like it had before, and I continued my walk.

Yesterday was Good Friday, the day the Lord died to restore us into right relationship with God.  
So, how does this relate to the train?

Period of waiting: B.C., especially as described in the Old Testament.  A time filled with longing for God to make Himself known and redeem the world.

The train: Jesus life on earth.

The unbearable noise of the train: the torture and crucifixion on the day the Church remembers during Good Friday.

After it passes: Continuation.  Christians, like the people of God in the Old Testament, are eager for God to reveal more of Himself and redeem the world.  However, now there is a sense of hope.  Whereas several people in the Old Testament could hear the train approaching, we have now seen the train.  We’ve heard the awful noise, and yet through that, we know that Jesus accomplished what He came to do.  

Imagine experiencing the train and having an experience of awe to the extent that it inspires you to do something, such as a little kid wanting to grow up to be a train conductor or engineer.  The sense of awe in the whole Jesus train, including his birth, teachings, miracles, and the sound of his death signaling the fulfillment of his purpose in coming, inspire me to live in such a way that reflects that state of awe.  Easter to me is a celebration of the fact that through his death and resurrection, the tracks have been laid enabling me to live in that state of awe and be in right relationship with God.


Happy Easter indeed

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Rest


Half-way through a semester with 8 am classes four days a week, I am currently relishing the ability to sleep in during spring break.  As I take my time getting out of bed in the morning, I am reminded of the time in January when I wished to stay in bed a bit longer...

I had arrived in Greece less than 48 hours before, and we had a full day of touring the city ahead.  A few of my overly ambitious travel companions got up for their morning run around the city.  Meanwhile, I pulled myself out of bed (barely) and made my way into the hotel hallway to meet with a two like-minded travel companions who preferred walking over running.  We made our way out into the quiet streets of Athens and started walking towards Mars Hill.  We passed stray dogs scrounging for breakfast, street cleaners still tidying up yesterday's mess, construction workers beginning their day's work, and a few Orthodox churches with worshipers inside listening to the pre-dawn liturgy.  We mounted the hill as the sun began to turn the grey clouds into an array of vibrant colors.  The birds sang the morning song and shortly thereafter the bells of the churches began to ring out across the city.  One of my companions accurately entitled the moment as 'the battle of the bells.' We sat in a state of awe observing the Sunday dawn for twenty minutes then headed back to our hotel to join the rest of our group for breakfast.

I had wished to stay in bed that very morning to enjoy an extra hour of sleep.  Knowing that a busy day laid ahead, I thought I needed the rest.  I've never regretted losing that hour of sleep though for that hill top experience, for that experience provided with a sense of rest that an extra hour of sleep could never match.  

Where does one's soul find rest?  

Matthew 11:28

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

The Influence of Hebrew ...



I went to the eye doctor yesterday and when it came time to read the chart of English letters, I read it from right to left.  I didn't realize what I had done until the doctor started laughing and called me a diagnosed dyslexic.  Fortunately, he knew enough about Hebrew to understand why I made the mistake when I mentioned I study Hebrew, which is read from right to left.

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Slow Down


If you asked my housemates when I got home whether or not I was taking things slow, the answer most assuredly would have been 'no.'  On the way home from school, I felt the urge to take the next few moments slowly.  I took it slowly enough to get this picture of the beginning of the sunset, reflected in a muddy pothole.  

The sky kept turning more vibrant as I entered through my home's front door.  I slung off my backpack and ran into the back yard, yelling at those who were being studious to come join in the marvel.  They laughed as I pranced about the yard for the next ten minutes, arms lifted high in praise.  What more can one do when met with such beauty?  

Despite the lack of physical slowness in those precious moments, I was still slow.  I was not ignoring the moment for the sake of preparing for the next, nor was I oblivious to the present as if I were still caught in the past.  As I praised God in that moment, I thought of what had past and what may lie ahead, but both within the context and full awareness of the present moment.  

This week, the question of how to balance pondering the present, future, and past, has been on my mind.  Tonight I received a partial answer: slow down.  Slow down and take in the present moment.  Use the sights and sounds, smells and feels, as stimuli to help you process and pray.  

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18