Random Thoughts

It's difficult to believe that in less than one week, we'll all be starting back to classes again. This summer seems to have flown by, and I'm even finding it difficult to pin-point specific memories and events: the whole thing seems as a blur to me. So much has changed, yet so much also seems to have remained the same.

In about one month, I"ll (Lord willing...) be moving into an apartment of my very own. This will be the first time I've ever done anything like this, and the prospect fills me with a sensation of anticipation, but also some nervous hesitation. Life with Donna and Lisa has become so much like "home" to me... There's a part of me that seems to be looking back - cherishing the time spent and the memories made. Another part of me fully understands, and embraces, the Truth that "this is life": and until our Master returns, this existence is composed of a series of "hellos" and "good-byes." I'm learning to hold things - always - with an open hand: accepting that everything belongs to Christ, and part of obedience is learning to say "yes" to whatever He may give and/or take. This doesn't make Him any less trustworthy.

It just means we are making the decision to take Him at His Word: His good, perfect, and holy Word.

John 15, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4 have been coming to mind a lot lately. I am aware of so many of our brothers and sisters who are passing through times of transition and growth, and that - along with all the blessings these periods have in store - it's not always an easy path to follow. We get impatient; we grow doubtful and hesitant; we feel overwhelmed and already defeated; and we may even question if this was the Road we were meant to traverse in the first place. Looking ahead to the future may even bring a mixture of bewilderment: knowing where we're being called, but not having a CLUE how He's gonna get us there.

Let us be faithful in taking it one day at a time - just as our Lord commanded us. Let us be disciplined in seizing the Scriptures as our definition of Reality - just as Christ admonished us (John 15). Let us be purposeful in practicing true community and encouragement - as the example has been set before us (Ephesians 4). And - most importantly - in all these things, may we recognize and fully accept: it has nothing to do with us...

...and has everything to do with our Lord, and what His grace can accomplish - even despite ourselves.