Hold On to What You Believe....

Earlier this spring, i officially resigned from my job. And not just any job either. We're talking about a job that was the beginning of a career path to be set up very comfortably for the rest of my life. Honestly its probably one of the best feelings and biggest senses of relief i've ever felt though. After returning from 3 weeks in the UK and the DIP event in Chicago this April, i sat down and looked at the calendar and came to the realization that there was absolutely no way i was going to be able to get everything done i needed to get done in the next 4 weeks and manage working seven ten hour shifts a week. Just isn't possible. So i did the completely logical thing, quit my job, haha right? Even though some have kind of shrugged their shoulders in disbelief, its been the right decision.During my time in the UK i had many observations, obviously, but one in particular stuck out. We work entirely too hard in America. Now before anybody gets upset, defensive, or any other form of angry towards me, please just listen.The average american works anywhere from 48-60 hours in a given week. Thats a pretty fair statement correct? Well i can't help but begin to question this so called "american dream" if that's what this particular dream is going to consist of. Do better, be better, out perform and climb the ladder by any means possible. This whole concept just doesn't sit well with me and my conscience. Somewhere along the line i feel like we've missed the bigger picture at the heart of the universe.As my time here at camp is coming to an end, i've taken time for meditation, prayer, and mostly just trying to grasp the idea that in two short weeks i will get on a plane and won't be home again for at least a years time. These are some things that have come into those thoughts and prayers as my time in the Boulder Valley comes to an end, and i feel the need to share at least a glimpse of those with you.

Community……..Relationship……….Life Together. What does it all mean?? Of coarse one can take the logical route and simply define these words in a technical manner, but there is so much more insight and depth to these concepts then simply a defining word.God created humans with these concepts in mind. All three of these concepts being encompassed in the ever elusive practice of love. We were created perfect in his image with an overwhelming capacity for love, to love, and to be loved. But as time has passed, we as human being have pushed hard at this practice. We've stepped away from its warm embrace, we've shunned the emotions it perks up inside of us, and most of all we've selfishly chosen to ignore it. In a lot of ways i feel the institutional christian faith has fallen to a lot of these traps. We stand in the pulpit on Sunday mornings and preach about an inclusive community, yet we fight and divide our church over topics of sexuality still. We hold hands during the service and pray for the orphaned African children who's families have been ravished by HIV/AIDS, but thats were our "love" for them stops in most instances. Now by no means am i saying that I'm immune from these practices, cause honestly i consider myself one of the most guilty. Im quick to judge, short in my approach to others insight on the matters and quick to simply say forget it, this isn't worth the effort. Well my friends, i have greatly wronged you.It's time to put these amazing concepts and practices to work. To act on this amazingly overwhelming gift of love. We don't have to fully understand it, cause we never truly will, but that doesn't mean we can ignore it either. I feel like a lot of the time the concept of love is confined to being viewed as nothing more then a feeling. I have a hard time ending my understanding of the word there. In many ways, love is more of an action to me. Love is the groceries you bought for some family friends because the father lost his job, love is providing a pair of shoes to a homeless man who's barefoot, love is looking to the care of those around you far before looking to ones self. Love is completely letting go of this life we've been gifted and living 100% fully as we are called into its existence. Easy enough right?? NOT.We've been raised to look towards ourselves in the "american dream" and our own well being long before we step back and look to the care of others. We've grown up in an increasingly competitive society that preaches the "one up" policy in daily living. And a world that chooses to end its service to others at the end of their blocks or cul de sacs. For many of those probably reading this, Palmer Chinchen would refer to this point in your life as the Critical Years. Chichen says, " These years are precious. Much of who we are spiritually is shaped in these years. A stimulating environment and new opportunities will promote spiritual growth and transformation. Conversely, a stagnant environment and negative conditions will slow or even block spiritual development." Some of you may find yourself in your critical years right now, or just starting into them. Don't waste a day. There is a unique value among those that live in these years. They need to be listened to, included, promoted, treasured, encouraged, and learned from because it's these people that are filled with potential. Even if you yourself isn't a twentysomething, you can live that way. You don't have to be so cautious, you don't have to only do what you've done before, and you don't have to plan so far ahead. Start living with the spontaneity of a twenty-year-old.


Its with these in mind that i move into the next chapter that is this wild and precious life. Whether they're right or wrong, i honestly couldn't tell ya. But i refuse to sit back and wait to see if they're right or wrong. I'm gonna go find out for myself. 

Your turn.