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| Aloha from the Ditch Trail in Kaua'i, friends! |
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Snow, gentle and white, whirled outside in the gray when I awoke this morning. I put on the tea kettle to get water boiling for breakfast and coffee while I got ready for work. This morning, the attire I chose to wear was different than the past month. I donned not a blue synthetic shirt but a blue cotton top and sweater. I slipped into jeans rather than running shorts. Yet the wool socks and trail runners remained the same. As I finished eating and drove to the office to start work, I thought about how appropriate it was that this part, my footwear, would remain the same. For a runner should be ready to set out each day on the race set before them.
For me, the race I've been running this past month has been on the island of Kaua'i. The course set before me was to educate eight college students on encounters: with God, self, others and creation. Its been a privilege to have instructed this course for 3 years now (including the most recent one). Being able to spend a month backpacking, living and challenging college students to live out their faith in every area of their life is exhausting, yet incredibly enriching. We spent 21-days traveling around the island, listening to stories of people that live there, walking their trails and being attentive to encounters we have - however big or small.
This trip held a distinct feeling of God being present. In a way that encouraged us on the long hike days. That allowed for humility as help was asked and pack weight redistributed. That gave strength to ask,"What's the point of investing if only for a short time, anyway?" I saw a group committed to allowing space for God every morning. One that learned to care for each other. One that, when we left them on their own for a few days with nothing more than a skeletal plan, took the time to discuss whether or not they wanted structure; and, realizing the value in it, implemented one. And when the time came for the group to adjourn, I saw a group of individuals choosing to stick together even if their individual races were different. The distance was negligible; it was the way they chose to run the distance that made me the good work that God is doing in their lives.
We are home now, far from the lapping waves of the Pacific and crowing roosters. But the shoes are the same; just as is the faith race that is set before us. I am still called to run it and run it well, regardless of whether I am instructing a course or working in the office. I see that as continuing to marvel at encounters I have daily all around me - whether its the snow, the people walking or just listening for God's voice. One of the songs that resonated with the trip was by Jason Mraz and it talks about the depth that people hold. As I regain my footing here in this place, I hope that I too, would be able to look at the snow and the streets and the people living here and see the depth in each of them. For like my students, each person holds so much life.
"When I look into your eyes, its like watching the night skies, or a beautiful sunrise, well there's so much they hold." (Jason Mraz, I Won't Give Up)
This trip held a distinct feeling of God being present. In a way that encouraged us on the long hike days. That allowed for humility as help was asked and pack weight redistributed. That gave strength to ask,"What's the point of investing if only for a short time, anyway?" I saw a group committed to allowing space for God every morning. One that learned to care for each other. One that, when we left them on their own for a few days with nothing more than a skeletal plan, took the time to discuss whether or not they wanted structure; and, realizing the value in it, implemented one. And when the time came for the group to adjourn, I saw a group of individuals choosing to stick together even if their individual races were different. The distance was negligible; it was the way they chose to run the distance that made me the good work that God is doing in their lives.
We are home now, far from the lapping waves of the Pacific and crowing roosters. But the shoes are the same; just as is the faith race that is set before us. I am still called to run it and run it well, regardless of whether I am instructing a course or working in the office. I see that as continuing to marvel at encounters I have daily all around me - whether its the snow, the people walking or just listening for God's voice. One of the songs that resonated with the trip was by Jason Mraz and it talks about the depth that people hold. As I regain my footing here in this place, I hope that I too, would be able to look at the snow and the streets and the people living here and see the depth in each of them. For like my students, each person holds so much life.
"When I look into your eyes, its like watching the night skies, or a beautiful sunrise, well there's so much they hold." (Jason Mraz, I Won't Give Up)
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