The best journeys answer questions that in the beginning you didn't even think to ask.
This fall I began grad school to study theology. Through the next couple of years of late nights studying, countless hours with my nose in books and spending money I don't have, I will earn a piece of paper saying I am a theologian. For me this will be a journey that will truly test my faith, strengthen my relationship and make me question my Church. Unlike other grad programs this will be a field that will encompass more than just one's self academically, but so much more. It will shape the essence of my whole self in the most authentic and spiritually demanding ways that I can think of.
Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, said in one of my favorite documentaries 180 Degrees South something I'll carry with me through this next chapter of my life. He said that while on a journey you must engulf your whole self in the the truest sense to fully experience all it has in store for you. He brought up the hard truth of those who fake their way through the ultimate journey (in this case climbing Everest) saying that many high powered plastic surgeons and CEO's shell out loads of money to take an easy way up Everest; getting everything from ropes laid out in advance to mints on their pillows. He goes on to say that "the whole purpose of planning something like Everest is to effect some sort of spiritual and physical gain and if you compromise the process, you're an asshole when you start out and you're an asshole when you get back."
Today I face my Everest. I stand at the foot of this massive mountain of doubt, struggle and reward, and currently I am unable to see the summit or anything that resembles my mountaintop. As I begin to build upon a sturdy foundation of my faith I am challenged to climb my Everest, the study of theology. It's time for me not just to purchase books and write papers, but have my spiritual and physical gain, remaining authentic through my experiences and disciplined during the process or I risk beginning as an asshole and walking across that stage in a couple years to be handed a piece of paper reminding me I'm still an asshole...and broke.
The fear of the unknown is the greatest fear of all...when the journey seems to throw switchbacks your way and it all becomes too much, that is when the adventure begins. As I begin to take on my Everest I am thankful for the support of friends and family, the grace flowing freely through this process and for having a hell of a good pair of hiking boots to tackle such a mountain.
Goodbye social life. Hello opportunity. Farewell fun weekend and greetings coffee shops and hipster baristas (oxymoron?). This is grad school. This is my Everest and I intend not to compromise the process.
Until next time...
8.06.2013
The Crosswalk Conundrum
Last night I was riding my bike home from the library along one of the area's busiest roads. Anyone who knows me can vouch that I choose to ride as much as I can to complete errands, work out or just for fun. Although I was crossing the street with the 'walk' symbol, I nearly got taken out by a car turning on red that ironically sported a bright yellow "Look Twice for Bikes" bumper sticker on the back window. I'm not sure what stuck out more about the driver's interest in biking, his cautionary bumper sticker or his bike that was in tow, securely fastened to the bike rack. None the less my near brush with death came from the same tights wearing, Lance Armstrong wannabe who shares the love of the open road like me. A kindred spirit who understands the frustrations and dangers of cycling on the cement raceway of back country roads, yet who failed to practice what his bumper sticker - and ultimately his overall personal belief - preaches: Look twice for bikes.
It's like when you are driving on the highway and a Mom in a minivan comes blaring past you and shoots you a mean glare and a few choice words, because you were only doing five over in the fast lane. Yet as she speeds past you her silver fish emblem on the back of her four wheel chariot stares you down in joyous, loving humiliation and her bumper sticker asks "What Would Jesus Do?". In similar fashion, we all have folks in our lives who broadcast their faith by acting all high and mighty while leading committee after committee at Church, school and in other extracurriculars, but on Saturday morning are the ones going nuclear on the soccer ref because their little Messi doesn't know a goal from a hole in the ground.
Just the other day a friend had mentioned to me how a close girlfriend of hers had been involved in her Church years ago. She said that her friend and her husband had been on committees, helped at Mass almost weekly and knew most, if not all, of the parishioners. Her friend's husband cheated on her and ultimately left her...so did her Church "friends."
The sad truth is we often forget what we have had preached to us and what we preach towards others. Much like the bike enthusiast who nearly drove me off the road in his Volvo, we forget the things we try to live out daily (i.e. Look Twice for Bikes...unless I'm in my own car). We've all heard these stories of reasons why friends or family members have left a Church because the Church turned on them. When in all reality the Church never did anything. The dutiful 'disciples' of the Church did. It's the ol' mentality of "I'll practice what is preached only when it is convenient for me...or else I'll do what I want."
If we are truly called to love one another (John 13:34) and know that love is of God; and every one that loves is begotten of God(1 John 4:7) then it is time to live it. Not when it fits into our schedule or helps us to gain support, but in all circumstances. It's time to live out what we broadcast to others. Live. A. Life. Worth. Loving.
So your bumper sticker says "What Would JC Do?" I'll tell you what he'd do, he'd love always, often and upon everyone. Your JC bling you wear every day broadcasts for all to see your unyielding love and admiration for the guy and that you are not just invested in a lot of accessories, but you're a disciple. Committed to his teachings, a believer in his ways and a lover of all. Great, now live it. And let's say your car sports a bike rack, fancy road bike and a bumper sticker that says "Look Twice for Bikes"...then I strongly suggest you look twice for bikers. Don't preach it when you're on your bike and forget it behind the wheel of your Volvo. It's time for us all to look twice, live once and love always.
Until next time...
It's like when you are driving on the highway and a Mom in a minivan comes blaring past you and shoots you a mean glare and a few choice words, because you were only doing five over in the fast lane. Yet as she speeds past you her silver fish emblem on the back of her four wheel chariot stares you down in joyous, loving humiliation and her bumper sticker asks "What Would Jesus Do?". In similar fashion, we all have folks in our lives who broadcast their faith by acting all high and mighty while leading committee after committee at Church, school and in other extracurriculars, but on Saturday morning are the ones going nuclear on the soccer ref because their little Messi doesn't know a goal from a hole in the ground.
Just the other day a friend had mentioned to me how a close girlfriend of hers had been involved in her Church years ago. She said that her friend and her husband had been on committees, helped at Mass almost weekly and knew most, if not all, of the parishioners. Her friend's husband cheated on her and ultimately left her...so did her Church "friends."
The sad truth is we often forget what we have had preached to us and what we preach towards others. Much like the bike enthusiast who nearly drove me off the road in his Volvo, we forget the things we try to live out daily (i.e. Look Twice for Bikes...unless I'm in my own car). We've all heard these stories of reasons why friends or family members have left a Church because the Church turned on them. When in all reality the Church never did anything. The dutiful 'disciples' of the Church did. It's the ol' mentality of "I'll practice what is preached only when it is convenient for me...or else I'll do what I want."
If we are truly called to love one another (John 13:34) and know that love is of God; and every one that loves is begotten of God(1 John 4:7) then it is time to live it. Not when it fits into our schedule or helps us to gain support, but in all circumstances. It's time to live out what we broadcast to others. Live. A. Life. Worth. Loving.
So your bumper sticker says "What Would JC Do?" I'll tell you what he'd do, he'd love always, often and upon everyone. Your JC bling you wear every day broadcasts for all to see your unyielding love and admiration for the guy and that you are not just invested in a lot of accessories, but you're a disciple. Committed to his teachings, a believer in his ways and a lover of all. Great, now live it. And let's say your car sports a bike rack, fancy road bike and a bumper sticker that says "Look Twice for Bikes"...then I strongly suggest you look twice for bikers. Don't preach it when you're on your bike and forget it behind the wheel of your Volvo. It's time for us all to look twice, live once and love always.
Until next time...
7.21.2013
The Grad School Stranglehold of Grace
The other night I finished my financial aid papers for grad school. My evening consisted of sifting through mind numbing paperwork and filling out government forms about student loans. On the eve of putting a studies induced stranglehold on my spending and a stop payment on my Adventure Fund, I also received my first bill from the university. If filling out all those forms about how much I’ll owe wasn’t enough to make my palms sweaty, stomach turn and my wallet shed some pounds the $2,000 initial payment did the trick.
All evening I second guessed my decision and stressed about my financial future for the foreseeable future. My mind raced quicker than the loans will be filed. “What did I get myself into,” I asked myself repeatedly. “Is this even the right ‘next step’ for me?” I asked. Since I’m going to study Theology this better be what the good Lord intends that I do. Needless to say it was an exhausting evening.
As I attempted to gather myself I was interrupted by a text from a teen that I had often met with while serving as Youth Minister. She would always come to events, asked great questions, made my job hell at times and would have weekly office visits to unload her thoughts, opinions and stresses of being a high schooler. She just ‘wanted to say hi,’ but past conversations that started like that indicated more than that. I asked how she was doing, and after hearing a generic response, I asked again, only to learn that her high school stress was now the realities of a life of a young woman dealing with much more as a young adult.
In respect to her I’ll skip much of the details and simply say that she faces many grueling mountains I could not even bare to ever face. I was empathetic to things going on in her life and for nearly two hours we texted back and forth. It wasn’t until I was lying in bed later on that I realized that our conversation had completely calmed my nerves from earlier. Here I was questioning my decision of going back to school for a degree that to many seems useless. It was the humbling way of having the Big Guy share His grace in my Life and that subtle, yet in your face, sign that maybe I should work on the whole 'surrendering thing' that He calls us to do.
As I spent an evening questioning Him and what I think He wants me to do He gave me that gentle jab to my ego to remind me that it is His will that shall be done. The most loving and compassionate I have felt in quite some time came at the tail end of an evening that was full of second guessing, anxiety and the fear of the unknown in my future. Then my mind was quieted, my heart opened and myself humbled. It's funny how things work out and how He works in our lives.
I've always said that the Big Guy is like a comedian...a really, really bad comedian. The kind where the jokes don't make sense or often times it takes a long time to think about the punchline. But after an onslaught of bad jokes he ends his set with a real zinger. The anticipated bazinga moment leaving you smiling and full of life. In this case I'm still deciding if this is the first of many one liners before the zinger or if this is this just the opening act. Either way I'm just excited to be here for the act.
Until next time...
All evening I second guessed my decision and stressed about my financial future for the foreseeable future. My mind raced quicker than the loans will be filed. “What did I get myself into,” I asked myself repeatedly. “Is this even the right ‘next step’ for me?” I asked. Since I’m going to study Theology this better be what the good Lord intends that I do. Needless to say it was an exhausting evening.
As I attempted to gather myself I was interrupted by a text from a teen that I had often met with while serving as Youth Minister. She would always come to events, asked great questions, made my job hell at times and would have weekly office visits to unload her thoughts, opinions and stresses of being a high schooler. She just ‘wanted to say hi,’ but past conversations that started like that indicated more than that. I asked how she was doing, and after hearing a generic response, I asked again, only to learn that her high school stress was now the realities of a life of a young woman dealing with much more as a young adult.
In respect to her I’ll skip much of the details and simply say that she faces many grueling mountains I could not even bare to ever face. I was empathetic to things going on in her life and for nearly two hours we texted back and forth. It wasn’t until I was lying in bed later on that I realized that our conversation had completely calmed my nerves from earlier. Here I was questioning my decision of going back to school for a degree that to many seems useless. It was the humbling way of having the Big Guy share His grace in my Life and that subtle, yet in your face, sign that maybe I should work on the whole 'surrendering thing' that He calls us to do.
As I spent an evening questioning Him and what I think He wants me to do He gave me that gentle jab to my ego to remind me that it is His will that shall be done. The most loving and compassionate I have felt in quite some time came at the tail end of an evening that was full of second guessing, anxiety and the fear of the unknown in my future. Then my mind was quieted, my heart opened and myself humbled. It's funny how things work out and how He works in our lives.
I've always said that the Big Guy is like a comedian...a really, really bad comedian. The kind where the jokes don't make sense or often times it takes a long time to think about the punchline. But after an onslaught of bad jokes he ends his set with a real zinger. The anticipated bazinga moment leaving you smiling and full of life. In this case I'm still deciding if this is the first of many one liners before the zinger or if this is this just the opening act. Either way I'm just excited to be here for the act.
Until next time...
7.10.2013
Livin' la Vida...?
Here's a morbid, yet fun thought (in a twisted kind of way): Have you ever thought about how you might one day die? Seriously, think about it. When I left work today a nice thunderstorm rolled in. Bright bolts of lightening electrified that gusty late afternoon sky and I couldn't help but think to myself what if I were to get struck right here, right now by lightening? That would straight up suck. Game over. That simple, somewhat unsettling question made me think though. How will I one day die? Would it be in a stampede of wild animals off on a hike somewhere (that's an honorable and manly way to go), would it be heroic final act or would it be peaceful. Beyond the sickening thoughts another popped into my mind. However I may one day go, how will I be remembered? How will the way that I lived my life shape my legacy?
Think about it...really, just think about those two questions.
Frank Sinatra tells us that we have to "enjoy livin' cuz dyin' is a pain in the ass" and "that's life." But is it. Another interesting thought came into my mind earlier today. If someone asked me today "what do you do for living?" how would I answer that question? Again, think about that one. Chew on it for a minute. Would you state your profession. "Well, I'm a (fill in the career..." or would you say "You know what? I never gave it much thought."
I thought about that today and I haven't settled on one good answer. It's too tough. On the surface the easiest answer(s) would be that I'm an events coordinator and I'm a youth minister (kinda). But in all reality that's not 'my living.' I know the government tells me to live to pay taxes and keep the country running. I'm told by society to live to work, to marry and to one day retire. I know that spiritually I'm called to offer myself as a 'living sacrifice,' to worship and not conform my life to this world, but to discern the will of God (Romans 12:2) and blah blah blah.
Because this thought followed me most of the afternoon, coupled together with the thought of being struck by lightening and the legacy I'd leave behind, I realized what I believe to be the start of what my living is:
What do I do for a living? Well, first off I live. I live each day in case it were my last, like I might not wake up tomorrow morning. I live each day to love (unless you're a gal I've gone out with and never called me back), to serve those in need and please those around me, those I meet and everyone else I may stumble across. I might not always be patient, appropriate or friendly, but sure as hell give it the old college try. For a living I attempt to be a compassionate companion in the rat race of life (unless you tailgate me). I live to learn from my mistakes (and I'm sorry to those I've hurt along the way or failed). My living is to one day find all the riches of the world, achieve my purpose and pass the final exam of life that determines if my 'living' was truly lived out... to get into the country club high in the sky known as Heaven. For I know that all things work for good for those who love God (Romans 8:28).
In the wise words of Mr. Ricky Martin we should be "livin' la vida loca," also known as live the crazy life...for me it's to livin' la vida Lofy, livin' the Lofy life (whatever that may be). Today, think about your life and what you do for a living. What's the legacy you'll live behind; Based off the life you lived how will you be remembered? Think about it and when it starts to make sense think about it some more, because you don't know. I'm still thinking away. Smoke is coming out of my ears right now I'm thinking so hard and I've already begun to write amendments and edits to what my living is. And remember just keep livin' la vida...
Until next time...
Think about it...really, just think about those two questions.
Frank Sinatra tells us that we have to "enjoy livin' cuz dyin' is a pain in the ass" and "that's life." But is it. Another interesting thought came into my mind earlier today. If someone asked me today "what do you do for living?" how would I answer that question? Again, think about that one. Chew on it for a minute. Would you state your profession. "Well, I'm a (fill in the career..." or would you say "You know what? I never gave it much thought."
I thought about that today and I haven't settled on one good answer. It's too tough. On the surface the easiest answer(s) would be that I'm an events coordinator and I'm a youth minister (kinda). But in all reality that's not 'my living.' I know the government tells me to live to pay taxes and keep the country running. I'm told by society to live to work, to marry and to one day retire. I know that spiritually I'm called to offer myself as a 'living sacrifice,' to worship and not conform my life to this world, but to discern the will of God (Romans 12:2) and blah blah blah.
Because this thought followed me most of the afternoon, coupled together with the thought of being struck by lightening and the legacy I'd leave behind, I realized what I believe to be the start of what my living is:
What do I do for a living? Well, first off I live. I live each day in case it were my last, like I might not wake up tomorrow morning. I live each day to love (unless you're a gal I've gone out with and never called me back), to serve those in need and please those around me, those I meet and everyone else I may stumble across. I might not always be patient, appropriate or friendly, but sure as hell give it the old college try. For a living I attempt to be a compassionate companion in the rat race of life (unless you tailgate me). I live to learn from my mistakes (and I'm sorry to those I've hurt along the way or failed). My living is to one day find all the riches of the world, achieve my purpose and pass the final exam of life that determines if my 'living' was truly lived out... to get into the country club high in the sky known as Heaven. For I know that all things work for good for those who love God (Romans 8:28).
In the wise words of Mr. Ricky Martin we should be "livin' la vida loca," also known as live the crazy life...for me it's to livin' la vida Lofy, livin' the Lofy life (whatever that may be). Today, think about your life and what you do for a living. What's the legacy you'll live behind; Based off the life you lived how will you be remembered? Think about it and when it starts to make sense think about it some more, because you don't know. I'm still thinking away. Smoke is coming out of my ears right now I'm thinking so hard and I've already begun to write amendments and edits to what my living is. And remember just keep livin' la vida...
Until next time...
7.01.2013
Social ME-Di-UH!
It’s not news to hear that Social Media rules our day and age. Look at any print advertisement and you’ll see an accompaniment of logos for Social Media sites. We’ve become consumed by the craze, which for some has become second nature behind breathing and eating. Professionally we believe that the more Social Media the more support from consumers. Personally, we believe the more we update the world on our love life, personal accomplishments and motivating song lyrics the more satisfied we feel…like we are some sort of D-list celebrity with important things to share with the world. A friend recently posted that “Facebook is like a fridge, you keep checking it and nothing has changed.” Social Media has become a constant in our daily lives and our daily lives have been constantly planned around Social Media.
It’s also no surprise that as we broadcast to the world, and to our ‘friends’ that follow us, we also open ourselves to the risk of a world of hurtfulness and all the stressing over how we stack up towards our friends, all the while diluting our ability to actually be able to handle true relationships with others. I think my friend’s post was wrong. Facebook is like the fridge of a bachelor (i.e. Me), I’ll keep putting food into it and keep checking it, but it always leaves me empty.
If it’s so easy to open up to ‘friends’ and complete strangers through Social Media why is it such a struggle for many to warm up to broadcasting our thoughts, thankfulness and temptations to someone who truly follows us every hour of every day? He tells us that whether He remains seen or distant in our own lives we should strive to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the faith of the gospel (Phil 1:27-28). It is only when we draw near in confidence towards His grace that we may one day receive His mercy and find His grace in our time of need (Hebrews 4: 16). The man is practically an inspirational status update generator for those pick me up quotes when we’re down…and the best part is we don’t have to sign in to read them, there’s no passwords keeping us from them and there’s no pesky updates we don’t understand because His grace hasn’t changed for two thousand years.
As technology grows, Social Media becomes more and more ingrained in our daily lives. The faster life picks up the more stress we put upon ourselves to keep up with these needs. The more stressed and stretched thin, the easier it is to consume ourselves with the needs of x, y and z. With that brings personal pain, social stresses, loneliness and the abandonment of our pride. Now is the time for us to pull back from the poking, posting and pain of Social Media and begin forming true relationships, one’s that don’t leave us empty. Relationships built on love, compassion and purpose. It is the Holy Spirit who says, “I love those who love me (Proverbs 8:17),” “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest (Exodus 33:14),” and the One who says “through prayer be social with me, duh! (This guy).”
It’s also no surprise that as we broadcast to the world, and to our ‘friends’ that follow us, we also open ourselves to the risk of a world of hurtfulness and all the stressing over how we stack up towards our friends, all the while diluting our ability to actually be able to handle true relationships with others. I think my friend’s post was wrong. Facebook is like the fridge of a bachelor (i.e. Me), I’ll keep putting food into it and keep checking it, but it always leaves me empty.
If it’s so easy to open up to ‘friends’ and complete strangers through Social Media why is it such a struggle for many to warm up to broadcasting our thoughts, thankfulness and temptations to someone who truly follows us every hour of every day? He tells us that whether He remains seen or distant in our own lives we should strive to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the faith of the gospel (Phil 1:27-28). It is only when we draw near in confidence towards His grace that we may one day receive His mercy and find His grace in our time of need (Hebrews 4: 16). The man is practically an inspirational status update generator for those pick me up quotes when we’re down…and the best part is we don’t have to sign in to read them, there’s no passwords keeping us from them and there’s no pesky updates we don’t understand because His grace hasn’t changed for two thousand years.
As technology grows, Social Media becomes more and more ingrained in our daily lives. The faster life picks up the more stress we put upon ourselves to keep up with these needs. The more stressed and stretched thin, the easier it is to consume ourselves with the needs of x, y and z. With that brings personal pain, social stresses, loneliness and the abandonment of our pride. Now is the time for us to pull back from the poking, posting and pain of Social Media and begin forming true relationships, one’s that don’t leave us empty. Relationships built on love, compassion and purpose. It is the Holy Spirit who says, “I love those who love me (Proverbs 8:17),” “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest (Exodus 33:14),” and the One who says “through prayer be social with me, duh! (This guy).”
6.30.2013
You Can Learn A Lot About Faith From Inside A Mosh Pit
While I was hiking and (responsibly) drinking my way through Denver
I respected the crap out of him for doing that. If that were me, I would have been knocked down the moment I stepped in. But he went about his business and did his own thing. What I saw stuck with me. Here's a guy surrounded by chaos and disorder, but it didn't phase him. The fear of being knocked down or humiliated didn't stop him. On the drive after the show I admired the Denver skyline as much as I did this cat as I reflected of what I saw.
Every day of our lives we struggle with the stessers we face and we falter to our fears, all the while making it so damn hard to stay the course. It's like we're stuck smack dab in the middle of a mosh pit, being pushed around, taking elbows to our pride and frequently getting knocked to our knees. Some times it's a chore to find the motivation to just pick yourself up. It's at those times I wish I could be more like the Hulk-asourous that braved the pit and all the painful abuse that surrounded him. It becomes such a spiritual struggle when you are constantly being pushed around and faced with constant gut checks. It's those times we have to remind ourselves that we have the strength to take on everything that is thrown our way because we are empowered through Him (Phil 4:11). That when we struggle to walk tall among the ruthless 'moshiness' that is all around us we must rely on the Big Guy and His mightiness as we seek Him through it all(1 Chronicles 16:11).
Watching that guy during that set inspired me. I know, I know, it was just some dude at a rock concert. For all I know he could have been driven by beer muscles or be a bully looking to fight or just straight up dumb, but he manned up and stayed strong with everything around him. Most likely not afraid to be bumped around or knocked to his knees. If you're like me, that's my fear. Being knocked to my knees and taking the initial hit and then the hit to the pride, but it's not so bad. I can think of someone else who had fallen to his knees, not once, not twice, but thrice. He was able to pick himself up and keep going. Just like I should and how you should.
May we always be strong in our faith and steadfast in our ways. No matter the amount of craziness surrounding you in your life, may you walk tall. And let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9) no matter how hard we are knocked down or how often we take the hits.
Until next time...
6.05.2013
The Garden of Weedin'
This spring I took on a new endeavor of getting a plot in a local community garden. After cooking all winter with 'fresh' veggies and herbs from the store I would have a trash can full of wrappers and a recycling bin piled high with cans. Then it hit me that it would be so cool to take on a garden...until I stood at the edge of the garden for the first time and had to weed the damn thing.
When I visited the plot after some time away an entire forest of greenery had grown around my plants. I knelt on the hard, cracked dirt to pull weeds around my 'harvest.' As I fought off the discomfort of kneeling for a couple hours on a thin piece of foam it dawned on me how unbelievably frustrating this whole thing seems. In the grand scheme of things a 20x20 plot is truly nothing, but doing it alone - and without a clue of what I'm doing - seems damn near impossible.
The ground was tough to break through and the dense weeds appeared to stand taller, as if sticking its chest out in the air to boast that it had beaten me. The moment that I thought I was making progress I looked beyond the three foot radius of my initial assault on the annoying agriculture only to see that I had another 391 square feet to go. It was discouraging, demoralizing and worst of all, painful. I felt alone on a tiny dirt island of doubt thinking that maybe I had taken on too much as I was surrounded by a sea of green leafy weeds.
Near the end of my late afternoon’s work, I arrived at my final plant. A hot pepper plant, standing nearly one foot tall. On it, hidden underneath a flawlessly shaped leaf, was the tiniest little thing that almost resembled a miniature pepper. A pepper that two weeks ago did not exist and around that plant was the intoxicating aroma of the spicy cilantro from nearly three feet away.
When I had finished weeding I watered the little guy and the other sprouting veggies, herbs and melon surrounding it. Then it hit me that maybe, just maybe, all the sweat, pain and sun could be worth it. That even through the pulling of the weeds (that will grow back in a few days) and muscling through the man eating garden spiders and laughing off the old retired men at the plots around me laughing at my attempts to garden, just maybe this will be blossom into a bountiful harvest. An end of summer reward for all the long hours, hot days and frustrating fun in the sun.
Our faith is a lot like my garden endeavor if you think about it. In order to have a great harvest you can't just sprinkle a little water on your plot every once in a while and expect a great outcome; much like you can't pray every once and again to expect miracles or a relationship with God to blossom in your life. In attempting to grow spiritually you will feel weak and intimidated, lost and alone, doubtful and distraught, just as any true warrior of the top soil may feel taking on the forest of constantly growing weeds. Our weaknesses towards certain temptations creep up as quick as those weeds; that no matter how many times you pull them, and no matter what you do to treat them, they always seem to creep their way back.
In Matt we read that the harvest is “abundant but the laborers are few (Matt 9:37).” There is so much goodness for us to receive in our own lives as long as we are following the righteous path and living a life full of love, but so few willing to take on the task. The harvest can be daunting, overwhelming and lonely, much as it was when I first stepped foot in the plot overwhelmed by what stood before me. I went into the task of gardening knowing that I’d pull some weeds, water some plants and boom…I’d have food. But it’s not that easy nor that simple, just like our faith. In our own lives we know exactly what it is we need to do (on paper) to be happy, to love and to get into Heaven, but we still become overwhelmed by the realization that we actually don’t know how to do it properly. The Bible, just like a Gardening for Idiots book, explains to us what to do along the way and how to overcome many different challenges, it’s just a matter of us properly following what has been shared and then applying it daily.
Even the best of gardeners and farmers have a lousy harvest from time to time and even the most disciplined of theologians struggle spiritually. It’s just a matter of us trying to keep those pesky weeds and weaknesses at bay by getting to them at their roots. And to do more than just sprinkle a little water from time to time or pray when we only want something. We must overcome the weeds in our lives and love daily, even through the hate, the disgust and the pain. It is then, and only then, that along our path we may see the fruits of our labors and see how truly abundant the harvest truly is. It just takes overcoming one weed at a time.
But we must always remember that no matter how many weeds surround our harvest and no matter how much we must endure to see the fruits of our labor
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