7/10/2014
The weather outside is a bit dreary, it has been pouring down but I think it has just let up. I am a bit short on energy today, perhaps I am under this weather. I am definitely under this weather. I peered outside a few minutes ago as I was warming up some water for tea. A robin was perched upon the top of the fence outside my back door. It was cleaning itself, flitting it’s feathers about as it had been soaked by the rain. I was watching it through the window, it wasn’t aware of me. As I watched it fluff and flitter it’s feathers, twitching them individually and cocking it’s head around, I had a basic and profound insight. This creature was made to take to the sky, to ride upon the wind.
I think it’s a bit cliche’ for the Christian to say they were made for the glory of God. Everything was made for the glory of God. From the grainy elements that crumble under our feet as we walk, to the birds that soar overhead in the vastness of wind currents, moisture-clouds and stars beyond. All of it displays, shows forth, glorifies something of God, the creator who has known every. thing. intimately. So, I find it a bit trite to say I was created to glorify God. That is obvious. But, if the robin was created for the wind, then what am I created for?
I’ll leave that question to be answered by the outside observer. I doubt the robin is aware that it was created to ride upon wind currents. It just flies. As long as life is beating within it’s high-rhythm heart, it instinctually takes to the air. Maybe the question to ask isn’t, ‘What am I created for?’ but rather, ‘What is keeping me grounded?’
It has been a little over a year since I returned to the States from the World Race. What a unique trip that was! What a group of yearning, hungry, reckless individuals racers are! There is a certain quality of person who is willing to leave it all to live in messy, mobile community along with a host of unknowns. I think that quality may be ‘desperate.’ Though, there’s a lot more to racers than that; there’s also the fact that they sing the Anthem, “Let’s not just hear the words of Jesus, let’s do them!”
A year after that whirlwind year of constant culture shock, the unique weariness of traveling, and intentional community while serving the ‘least of these’, I have found my feet again. Maybe it takes a year just being somewhere for your feet to feel at home with the terrain. Sights, sounds and smells become familiar. Little details that you wouldn’t have noticed immediately now become distinct and special.
I was talking to a coworker today, briefly. She shared with me the fact that she’s tired of working the 8-5. She said she would give it all up, and live in a tent for the chance to be free, to be able to fly away. She happens to be training to be a pilot. She also has no idea what I did last year. We’ll have to talk some more, some time.
For me, in this season, it is good to have my feet on the ground. But eventually, at the right time, the circumstances of earthy life and breath of the heavenly Spirit will once again ripen the cry within the heart, “To the air! Take flight! Not gravity, not familiarity, nor comfort shall hold me. Undo the tethers, fire up the engine and taxi to the runway of the great unknown! Onward! Upward! Go, go, GO!”
