Shiney.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Because, O God, from Thee comes all, because from Thine own mouth has entered us the power to breathe, from Thee the sea of air in which we swim and the unknown nothingness that stays it over us with unseen bands; because Thou gavest us from heart of love so tender, mind so wise and hand so strong, Salvation; because Thou art Beginning, God I worship Thee.

Because Thou art the end of every way, the goal of man; because to Thee shall come of every people respect and praise; their emissaries find Thy throne their destiny; because Ethiopia shall stretch out her hands to Thee, babes sing Thy praise; because Thine alter gives to sparrows shelter, sinners peace, and devils fury; because 'to Thee shall all flesh come,' because Thou art Omega, praise.

Because Thou art surely set to justify that Son of Thine and wilt in time make known just who He is and soon will send Him back to show Himself; because the Name of Jesus has been laughingly nailed upon a cross and is even now on earth held very lightly and Thou wilt bring that Name to light; because, O God of Righteousness, Thou wilt do right by my Lord, Jesus Christ, I worship Thee.

- Jim Elliot in Shandia, Eastern Eucador
August 16, 1953.

Grant O Lord that I might worship You with as much passion. May I delight in You for as long as You give me breath.

planted @ 11:36 PM

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

It has been some time since I last blogged.

Exams have passed, some friends have gone home, other friends have traveled.

I've traveled a little too.

On the road in Yunnan, it struck me that many people in China travel for many various reasons. Some travel to see more of the world, to understand people in their Cultures, to feel more connected to the rest of humanity. Some travel to break free of tedium, boredom, routine - they quit their jobs to be on the road for a long time, with no definite plans to return to work. Some travel to forget past lives, past loves.

Some see travel as a challenge. They set goals, agendas and work hard to accomplish them. The quest to conquer (new places), to scale (new heights), to traverse (new distances)seems so big, so inexorable. And yet, they press on toward the goal. They would find rest, if only they knew the One goal worth persevering for.

I traveled seeking to be educated. I wanted to know China and its people a little better. And in expanding my vision of that part of the world, I wanted to expand my vision of God.

We live in a world of contrasts and we ourselves are creatures of contrast. Made in the image of the Living GOD, yet fallen and desperately in need of not only redemption, but re-creation.

In witnessing beauty and ugliness, light and dark, there were times I couldn't shake that emotion of loathing. There were certain aspects of that foreign culture that I absolutely detested, which disturbed me and which made me very quick to judge. So intense was my feeling towards a certain perversion that I lashed out at my partner over what would otherwise have been a laughable, dismissible comment.

In the end, we are sinners all. In the end.

Thanks and praise to our Saving God who pulls us from the mud and mire, washes us, clothes us anew and gives us a firm place to stand.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness.

We can take heart, because our hope is not in any sort of (self-defined) morality, but in the great, unchangable I AM, our King of Glory and of Grace.

planted @ 1:20 PM