I had the chance to go to the MERGE conference this past week. What an experience. It was inspiring, to say the least. I could see the gears start turning in the heads of the students. Suddenly, they were confronted with things that didn't quite make sense and were forced to ask questions. We all found ways that we connected to the stories of the Bible and ways that we identified with the characters.
It was a refreshing week of re-connecting with God and connecting with the students. We all realized how much we have in common with one another and with the people of the Bible. We all grew in a deeper understanding of what it means to follow God in our screwed up human state.
I encourage you to check out some of the stories from the week at www.echothestory.com.
7.27.2007
7.11.2007
Across Mexican Deserts
After spending a week in Mexico while building houses, I have learned quite a bit about God, myself, and other people.
First, God is enough. There is nothing except God. God is all I need. As long as I rely on God, He will provide my earthly needs. He is my source of life, not myself. When I rely on myself, I lose focus of God, and my life becomes moot.
Second, other people... They are quite useful. I cannot function alone. This is something I know, but I don't always practice. Sure, I know other people are useful, but I always depend on myself until I cannot anymore. I need to start relying on other people from the get-go to help me. People teach you how to be a better person. It's totally okay to see a good quality in someone and attempt to emulate it.
Third, is myself. I have learned the place of suffering in life. Suffering is designed to make one rely on God and others. When you suffer, you realize just how insignificant you are by yourself. It is only when you allow yourself to be used within the greater picture that you become important. One man cannot build a house alone. It would be foolish to try. In the same way, on man cannot live life alone. People are made for community, and that means not being some bigshot, go-it-alone kind of person. Through the trials I experienced in Mexico, I have realized how the Body works together in a more intricate way. Though we cannot understand God, we can understand the Body. We can understand how the Body should work and take appropriate measures to reach that function.
These are just some of the many things that my half-cooked brain discovered while in the deserts of Mexico. Take it for what it is. Perhaps we can all learn something from one another...
First, God is enough. There is nothing except God. God is all I need. As long as I rely on God, He will provide my earthly needs. He is my source of life, not myself. When I rely on myself, I lose focus of God, and my life becomes moot.
Second, other people... They are quite useful. I cannot function alone. This is something I know, but I don't always practice. Sure, I know other people are useful, but I always depend on myself until I cannot anymore. I need to start relying on other people from the get-go to help me. People teach you how to be a better person. It's totally okay to see a good quality in someone and attempt to emulate it.
Third, is myself. I have learned the place of suffering in life. Suffering is designed to make one rely on God and others. When you suffer, you realize just how insignificant you are by yourself. It is only when you allow yourself to be used within the greater picture that you become important. One man cannot build a house alone. It would be foolish to try. In the same way, on man cannot live life alone. People are made for community, and that means not being some bigshot, go-it-alone kind of person. Through the trials I experienced in Mexico, I have realized how the Body works together in a more intricate way. Though we cannot understand God, we can understand the Body. We can understand how the Body should work and take appropriate measures to reach that function.
These are just some of the many things that my half-cooked brain discovered while in the deserts of Mexico. Take it for what it is. Perhaps we can all learn something from one another...
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