"We have come from God," Tolkien argued, "and inevitably the myths woven by us, though they contain error, reflect a splintered fragment of the true light, the eternal truth that is with God. Myths may be misguided, but they steer however shakily towards the true harbour" - Tolkien: Man & Myth by Joseph Pearce

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Changing of Seasons

Today was the First Day of Fall. I'm saying, everyone should be excited about that!!!! I'm so excited for autumn- for cardigans and cozy evenings, for bonfires and bright leaves, for caramel-appley-ness and breezes filled with spices, for candles that make everything glowy and just beacon you to sit near and read for hours... And as I feel everything around me breathe in deep and hold it- anticipating the change that's about to take place, I breathe right along with all creation, anticipating the adventure of the coming months!

I know for a fact that they will be adventuresome, because there is a big change- a big decision- that Ryan and I recently made. I can't elaborate yet, (not that there is too much danger if I did- this blog isn't exactly nationwide or anything) but I will say that I am as ready for this as I am for the leaves to paint themselves gold and red and fiery orange! The Lord is blessing us; we feel it every day. I am so blessed just to be married to Ryan! He's incredible!

For example, last week the owners of Coffee Company- John and Lisa Bunn- went on vacation for a week. This meant that everyone worked a LOT and Beth, who acts as a sort of second-in-command, was quite occupied. Though I really have enjoyed work there so far, I have to say that it was a very tiring week. It was so tiring that I felt that the only logical response, as sometimes happens when I'm very tired and miscommunication and other vexations have had their way, was to curl up on our bed with the Kleenexes and cry my eyes out into Ryan's shoulder. (A milder version of this can happen when I just have not cried for a while... or when I just need some sleep.)

Interesting as my emotional trajectory is, we shall soldier on to other- very possibly- more interesting, and certainly more important, topics. Ryan read me a section out of Deuteronomy the other day, and it was awesome. I know- Deuteronomy? Are you sure it wasn't Romans or something? No, really. Moses is speaking to Israel, and the words are so relevant that I felt speechless after Ryan finished reading them. We found ourselves wishing a lot of people would read it, too; sometimes people would greatly benefit from realizing that life and goodness are a choice- as is death and destruction. So, here is that passage, and may you be wowed by its awesomeness and astounding truth:

Deuteronomy 30:11-20

11
Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, "Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, "Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.

15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.

19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."

Sometimes we forget that heaven and earth are witnesses to our choices. People are always watching us. Did you know that you are a leader? I don't care who you are or what you do, you are a leader. That means you have a responsibility- to set an example for the believers, just as Paul tells Timothy. What you choose determines what life you live. Choose the Lord, that you might live- really live. Choose Him, not so that you will merely receive good things, but because to be in community with the Father, with Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, can only be blessing.