A Sojourner’s Thoughts

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It’s What Happens In The Middle

I have a rather simplistic educational philosophy: I know where we’re starting, I know where I would like to end, and what happens in the middle is where the learning happens. This is the philosophy I think about when I’m a teacher, when I’m a learner, when I’m a sojourner in life. It goes from a single class period, to an entire course, through a degree program, and then spills over into life.

You see it is in the middle between the start point and the end point where transformation can happen. This is where we can journey together,to come along side each other and edit each other stories.

One thing about the journey, we have to be willing to follow it, flex with it, and at time endure the hardship of it for change to happen. We might have one idea of where a particular journey is taking us, but God may have another plan in mind. We need to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit as we travel through life.

As a teacher I read the students, as a learner I listen for God’s promptings, and as a sojourner I wonder what’s around the next corner as I travel the path I call life.

The question I leave with you is “What’s happening in the middle to you?”

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Simplicity

If there is one word that I have been thinking about lately with regards to my life in general, that word would be simplicity. Simplifying what I eat, things I possess, life in general, commitments, and engagement with technology (I have turned off my work email on weekends & seldom do I have my cell phone on weekends). I want to live simply, not necessarily cheaply or frugally. I love to bake and should do that more often.

I think with simplicity comes a slower pace to life. I take the time to enjoy things as life goes by. Some might say that I am living a balanced life, but what does it mean to be balanced? Rather, what I strive to do in my simplified life is life a Christ-centered life. In my Christ-centered life I live out Matthew 22:37f – that is I love God and love others. Where do I spend my resources(time, money, energy, etc.)?

Do I have this simply life all figured out? No, but I am working at it. As I write these words I have to chuckle know that I am about to begin the writing of my Doctoral thesis. But perhaps this simplicity is something with needs to be woven into it. I need to think about that a bit.

How can you simplify your life? What is one thing you can do to slow down? What would a Christ-centered life look like to you?

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Now If Only…

Now if only – three little words that in my journey through life that means “I agree God but…” The “but” could mean a viariety to things from I don’t really trust You to not right now but when I am ready to any other excuse I can come you with. You see that is what I mean when I say “now if only.”

I’ve noticed that God really isn’t interested in my excuses, rather He is interested in my doing. Proverbs 3:5-6 talks about trusting the Lord, Joshua was commanded to be strong and courageous and not waiver from the path layednout for him.

Trusting God is one more step in our faith journey. Remember how God has been faithful in the past will help you know that God will be faithful in the future.