Day 5 - Settle

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“When you have come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess, and you possess it, and settle in it, you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from the land that the LORD your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place that the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for his name. You shall go to the priest who is in office at that time, and say to him, “Today I declare to the LORD your God that I have come into the land that the LORD swore to our ancestors to give us.”- Deuteronomy 26:1-3

“Where is your wandering and journeying leading you to settle down?”

In the past 4.5 years, I have lived in three states.  In that time, I have lived with relatives and roommates, in other peoples’ homes and in a tiny apartment.  My belongings were usually scattered across no less than two states depending on where I lived.  Not having everything with me caused anxiety at times, especially when it was time to move again or when I couldn’t find something I needed – Was it in that box at so-and-so’s house?  Is it in my storage unit in this state or the other one?  Did I give it to Goodwill when I initially moved?  What will I be able to take with me?  How long before I can get my belongings?  I am finally in my own home and it feels wonderful but my mind is never far from the time when I wandered.  I knew God had a plan for me but it was frustrating and humbling and at times I struggled to be joyful. 

I have no idea where my wandering and journeying is leading me to settle down but I know it is more than my house.

Day 4 - Injustice

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”This is the kind of fast day I’m after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts”. -Isaiah 58:6 [The Message]

Injustice is everywhere.  How our society treats its animals and children is a strong indicator of its values.  Behind every abused and neglected animal is a story.  People don’t live in a vacuum; those who are cruel to animals show this behavior in other parts of their lives.  Those who see the cruelty but feel powerless/afraid to stop it are affected.  Children who see it are affected.  All are scarred, including the person who is committing the crime.  And the animals suffer without understanding.  A worker at the SPCA where I took this picture said, “Animals love unconditionally.  You can hit a dog with a two-by-four and it will lick your hand and ask what it did wrong.”  What am I doing to fight injustice? 

Day 3 - See

 

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“What I’m interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once.  Your righteousness will pave your way.  The God of glory will secure your passage.  Then when you pray, God will answer.  You’ll call out for help and I’ll say, ‘Here I am.’” -Isaiah 58: 7-9

 

I need to see with new eyes how I spend my money.  Not just on what, but when and how and what my mindset is when I am doing so.  Am I tithing with a joyful heart or begrudgingly because the plate is being passed and I don’t want to look like a cheapskate?  The things on which I spend my money – Whom does it benefit?  Does it go to a corporation that will give a miniscule portion to the person who made the product?  Will my purchase encourage poverty and exploitation or will it stand up for others?   



Day 2 - Return

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"Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished." -Luke 4: 1-2

 

”As we continue in this season of Lent, is there something from which you are returning or are turning [away]? If so, what is it that will sustain you as you continue on this journey? Who is it that travels with you? What are you bringing with you?”

I live in a railroad town.  Tracks are strewn everywhere and I usually don’t drive anywhere in a given day without crossing them at least twice.  I find myself annoyed when delayed by a train crossing - which only seems to happen when I am late for work - but I should be thankful for it.  Those brief moments cause me to stop what I’m doing and be still.  I need to return to stillness.  I need to take more “railroad” breaks in my life.  Every day.  I will bring my Bible, journal, phone (only as a camera) and an open heart.  This project will help me stay focused on my journey and I look forward to what I find along the way.



Day 1 - Who am I?

In observance of Lent this year, I decided to participate in a 40-day photo challenge organized by Rethink Church. Every morning, I receive an email with a word and accompanying devotion. It is simple and short but always inspiring. My task is to then take a picture showing what the word means to me. I want to do more than that, though. It will be difficult to record in my journal so I figured I would try this. If you would like to try participate, you can find information here:
http://rethinkchurch.org/lenten-challenge Day 1 – Who am I?

Who am I?
Fear. Last week my crossfit coach told me something I knew was coming but dreaded hearing: “You’re not lifting heavy enough. You’re not lifting up to your potential. You want to lose weight and grow stronger; lifting heavy is the only way you’re going to accomplish that.” I started weightlifting with barbells back in August but a couple of months ago decided to lift lighter so I could work on my form. I got so comfortable in my self-imposed box that I didn’t want to lift heavier and actually feared pushing myself to do what my body is capable of doing. Fear of weight is a common denominator in many aspects of my life. I don’t mind weight, as long as it is something I like…. hich means I don’t like weight. Not REAL weight. Not weight that threatens to push me down and make it difficult to perform a function. Weight is hard. Carrying it around is painful and makes us do things differently. We have to fight to carry it. But weight makes us strong. Challenges are given to us for a reason. It is up to me to step out of my comfort zone, carry that weight (without complaining, something with which I struggle on a daily basis) and grow in whatever way I am meant to grow.