I Will Wait

Today is Holy Saturday, the day on which we reflect on the confusion and sorrow Mary and the disciples must have felt after Jesus Christ’s crucifixion that took place just the day before.  Luckily we know what happens next in the story. Jesus is raised from the dead and tells of how He has made a way for us to come to the Father. Then He left again. We are in a similar situation to that of the disciples and Mary: Jesus has left. But at least we know that He is coming back. We are waiting for His second coming.

A group of musicians that I particularly enjoy is Mumford and Sons. For me, listening to their music is almost a form of worship as so many of their songs have religious undertones. Their honesty about the struggles that faith can bring is so refreshing and I am certain that the Holy Spirit is touching lives through their music whether they know it or not. One song in particular that highlights the idea of waiting for Jesus’ return is “I Will Wait.”

It speaks of the days of dust blowing away with the coming of the new Son. I think that is such a beautiful picture. The world will be made new with Christ’s coming. And until then we will kneel down and wait. We can know our ground in Christ. He is our rock and firm foundation. God has forgiven our sins through Jesus sacrifice on the cross and we will not forget that. We ask God to tame our flesh: to keep us from continuing on in our sinful ways, and to instead fix our eyes on Christ and tether our minds to Him, free from the lies of the devil. So I do not know how you intend to spend you Easter, but as for me, I’ll raise my hands, paint my spirit gold, bow my head and feel my heart slow in the presence of the Lord. 

Where's the Horse Meat?!

Recently a lot of people were up in arms over the fact that horse meat had been found in ground beef. I agree, it's a little unsettling because we didn't know it was in there. But, the idea of eating horse meat didn't bother me all that much at all. In my mind eating horse really isn't all that different from eating cow. And if it is different, here is some evidence that thinks it might even prove to be a good kind of different. Just some food for thought. 

Documentaries//Activism

Over the past few months I’ve been watching more and more documentaries. Voluntarily. When you’re a kid you can’t imagine anything more boring than watching a documentary, but lately I’ve found that they really draw me in. Almost too much so. They always stir up something in me.

The most recent documentary I saw was called ‘Sons of the Clouds; the last colony.’ It tells the story of the Sahrawis, a former colony of Spain that has been forcibly controlled by Morocco for the last 38 years. It was so hard to watch these poor people live in refugee camps out in the desert because the land that was their home was taken from them. And those that did still live in their homeland were tortured on a daily basis. I felt like someone had to do something. I felt like I had to do something.

This is the problem I have most of the time when I watch documentaries. It always hits me so hard that these are things that are actually happening in the world. Whether it’s related to human rights, the environment, animal cruelty, or anything else. This is happening in the world and I’m just sitting there on my couch watching it. I feel so utterly helpless and too small to make a change.

Now I don’t know if you ever feel that way too, but I just want to encourage you that there is always something you can do, even if it’s something small. After watching a documentary about where my food comes from I made a point to only buy free-range eggs and meat of which I know that the animal was treated well. It’s something small, but I think it’s making a change.

There are numerous ways to help in any aspect that might draw you. One example of a website that gives you some cool options is called sevenly.org. Every week they support a different charity, so you can choose to contribute on the weeks that you feel passionate about the cause. That’s just one way to make a change.

Just remember that no matter how small you may think your contribution is, it is making a difference. You can change the world you live in. It’s what we’re called to do.

People.

There are 7,066,671,614 people in the world, give or take a few. 

I've had the number 7 billion in my head for a while. I've technically known how many people are in the world but I don't think I've ever really thought about it. 

Lately whenever I see a picture of someone I've been struck by the idea that it's a real person. Somewhere out there in the world this person is living a life. They have friends and family. They have hopes and dreams. They have memories and a life story. 

I've had the pleasure of knowing some people in this world. I've shared in part of their life story and that's been a real honor and blessing. But in the grand scheme of things I've only had the joy of meeting a small fraction of the people on this earth. 

There are 7,066,671,614 people in the world. And each one has a story. That's amazing. I wish I could meet them all and share in their lives but that's not an option. But I still feel like I'm part of something. We, the human race, are all in this life together. And I'm glad to be sharing the journey with you.

a Word

Perhaps not really the definition of this word, but beautiful nonetheless.

Eye for an Eye

There are quite a few people out there in the world who either do not like the Bible, or don’t understand it. And to be honest, I can see their reasoning for that. Sometimes the Bible can seem like a very strange text that says things that might not seem very wise or helpful. At times the Bible may even seem contradictory. But it’s my belief that it is not the Bible that is wrong, but our interpretation of what it is saying.

One example of this is the phrase: “an eye for an eye,” which can be found in Exodus 21:24. You’ve probably heard it said that an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind (although I think the guy who still has one eye left at the end could easily avoid the other blind people who are trying to gouge it out, but that’s a different story...). The way we have interpreted this scripture does make it seem like horrible advice.

In movies for instance the mentality of “you hurt my girl, so now I’m going to kill everyone you know” is rampant. People tend to play the you-hurt-me-so-now-I’m-gonna-hurt-you-even-more card a lot because they misinterpret what the Bible means by an eye for an eye. We’ve taken it to mean that if someone hurts you in some way, the minimum you should do is do the same thing to them.

Exodus 21:24 says: “eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot”, so why does it give so many examples, each met with its equal? One of my profs here at University explained to me once that this verse was meant to be a limit. God was trying to set a boundary on how people were choosing retribution rather than justice and fairness. However, it would appear that even back in Old Testament times people were a bit confused by this and didn’t quite understand, which is why it is addressed again in Matthew.

In Matthew 5:38-39 Jesus says: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” So here is a good example of the Bible seeming to contradict itself. First they said an eye for an eye, and now they say turn the other cheek?!

What Jesus is saying is that you should not act out of anger or vengeance towards someone, just let it be. As it says in Romans 12:19: “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” I think we can certainly trust that God will be just as well as merciful as a judge and won’t make anyone pay any more or less than he or she owes.

This is just one example of how our misinterpretation of the Bible can make it seem backwards as well as contradictory, when really it is our interpretation that is at fault. Now, I don’t claim to have all the answers, and certainly not all the right answers, the Bible confuses me at times too. But I have faith that God is good and just and that His word is true, not matter what.

//Plans

I’ve heard it said that the best way to make God laugh is to tell Him your plans. Now in my life-plan there was a part that many people have in their plan, the part called “Graduate University//Get Married”. I like to think that when I first made this plan God must’ve had a good chuckle about it because as close as I am to finishing the first part of that plan, I am still quite far removed from the second part.

Over the past few months, and years, it seems that more and more people I know have been completing both parts of this goal (including my 2 older sisters...). And many of those who are in the same situation as I am are getting a little concerned. Luckily for me, I don’t really share their feeling of pressure to wed any time soon. As a Johnny Cash song puts it so eloquently:

“I have been a rover

I have walked alone

Hiked a hundred highways

Never found a home

Still in all I'm happy

The reason is, you see

Once in a while along the way

Love's been good to me”

True, I have never been in a serious relationship. But throughout my life I have been loved. Even if sometimes these feelings were fleeting, it is still something I hold in my heart. I know that for a moment in time, no matter how brief, someone loved me. And I have been blessed to have people in my life who will always love me no matter what, and that is plenty for me for now.

So as I continue to make plans for my life I have decided to omit the part of the plan that is called “Get Married.” Not because I don’t ever want to, but because it is something I cannot plan the timing of. When it happens, it happens, and until then there are a great deal of things to keep me going. And to be honest, God is a lot better at planning my life than I am so I'm putting the cards in His hands on this one.