Shifting Up

10 deep breaths, 2 sighs, 3 oh-my-gosh-that-could-have-ruined-this-truck's-suspension potholes, numerous potholes besides, 2 passenger parents, 2 sweaty palms, 1 much needed lesson in smooth gear transition, 1 i-think-that-started-at-the-base-of-my-neck headache, 1 i-am-so-glad-i-decided-not-to-change-lanes-because-that-would-have-ended-very-badly-for-all-involved split-second decision, 1 tense body including a set of especially active knees

THESE ARE THE INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO MAKE MY FIRST 7-HOUR DRIVE FROM NKWANTA TO ACCRA!!!!!

So there you have it. I have crossed over into that great cloud of drivers who first braved their premier excursion behind the steering wheel. How noble the feeling! How uplifting the sensation! How glorious the knowledge that I have joined the ranks of the...blah blah blah. Enough of that. What I am really thinking about is my struggle to find a section of the road smooth enough to get above second gear!

I mean really, the number of potholes was such that I could not tell whether the paved ("tarred") road had potholes, or whether the dirt had been broken up with fragments of erupting concrete. For a while, the dirt road was just as smooth as any other...smooth...dirt...road. Then, we hit some nice paved road. That was like a cool glass of water after a long walk! Next came a few brief patches of broken road, but the smoothness continued shortly thereafter. The bliss was not eternal, though. The roughness of the journey started in the third hour or so, and did not seem to stop until only one hour remained. I wanted so much to go faster, but I was prevented; the road looked to be intact in many crucial places (going over hills, turning corners, overtaking other drivers), but very often it was not. So, I ended up speeding up after one eruption of concrete, only to slow down again almost immediately. I just wanted to get to where I was going!!

The same happens in my life. Once I get some idea of my next destination, I tend to loathe the journey to get there, counting it as a necessary evil rather than an opportunity to learn and mature. The moment I know a sketch of what is to come, I am wont to "kick it into hyperdrive," as it were, moving so that warning signs become a blur and distant memory. I am forced to realize at every bend that the journey is part of the total experience. I am always so eager to move from first to second to fifth gear that I lose sight of both the intermittent stages and of the part of the road directly ahead.

Do not be like me in this way, because it is not like Christ. Make the most of every opportunity, remembering that, for those who love him and are called in line with his purpose, he orchestrates everything for your good in the end. Everything includes the trips and the transitions, so look for him in them all. He will be found when you seek him with all your heart - Romans 8:28; Jeremiah 29:13. When you do start picking up speed, "don't be in such a hurry to release the clutch," in the words of my dad. Do all things well, like God does - Ephesians 5:1.

posted from Bloggeroid

Life's Aul

Haven't we been changed by the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus the Christ? What is there to be said concerning the presence, power, and promises of God Almighty? Are they ineffectual? Is the Divine Love in vain? Where is the change in my life? In yours?

Or is it the appropriation of this God's life onto, into, around, through our own existence? Is it propositional knowledge, or is it relationship? The difference between the two is worth noting. On the one hand, the intellect reigns, without solid footing; mindless speculation abounds, leading to high-sonding nonsense and "ownership" of the infinite. On the other, intellect is fed by experience; hope is not seen, but the evidence of said unseen awaits to enwrap us all in an unforseen-yet-expected. A serendipitous embrace. O, that I might attain unto the loftiness of the plans for me by my Infinite Benevolent.

Today, we worked. I would upload a photo of our progress but, alas and alack, I reside in Nkwanta, Ghana, where picutres swallow bandwidths whole. Perhaps you could keep up with the progress by clicking on the picture of the sky at the top of the page. To keep you updated, we have begun to fill the first part of the Nkwanta Leasership Empowerment Center. Jeremy, David (my cousin), Evans, and I all worked together to shovel sand into the first of many holes, and mark the beginning of the foundation-filling journey. Worked about 5 hours, and I've actually just woken up from a nap [that I will be resuming soon enough, and with great pleasure] to fill you in (get it?) on what's happening with WorldVenture Ghana. To add the cherry ont top of an already sumptuous pretty please, we have our own truck! I know, you're like, "Yay," in that uncertain-of-what's-going-on kind of way. With the truck, we can cut down on the cost of transporting goods (eggs en masse, dirt, etc), which means that we can put more money directly towards the ministry with less heartache! God has provided yet again; feel free to get in on the action if you aren't in already. How? Click on that big picture at the top of the screen. It is so cool.

I have also been given the privilege of teaching one of the local Youth groups tomorrow evening. The topic is "The Renewal of the Mind," Which spans passages in Philippians chapter 2, Ephesians 2 and 4, and Romans chapter 12. I'm always excited to speak to Youth, and this is another time when I will get to incorporate my passion, Identity in Christ, into the lesson. I plan to teach no longer than 30 minutes, and then to field questions, as per the pastor's request. I hope and pray that all goes well, and that I treat the Word of God appropriately.

Keep answering those questions put forth in the "To Begin" blog and following. Who are you? Why does it matter? What does it mean? Write down the reason that God has placed you on this planet. Take your time. Pray. Again. and Again. Live in Love.

posted from Bloggeroid