Traveling alone can be a drag. Even elephants know enough to travel in groups.
With many countries and places behind me, hindsight leaves me certain that it is best to travel with a friend. To have a friend, we must become a friend
There is safety in numbers, as well as warmth, help when we need it, and encouragement for the tough times. When one stumbles, the other can pick him up. I am convinced that we were made to help each and no one really arrives at their destination alone.
Even the Son of God sent his friends out to the corners of the earth in teams, and he made room on his team for everyone. Jesus was called a "friend of sinners" and traveled with a large group as an example to us that we were designed to live and move in community.
Now if the benefits to teamwork are self evident, why do we still often insist on flying solo? Is it fear or pride or ignorance that keeps us isolated and alone? Why do we hesitate to share the journey with others when we have so much to offer and can receive so much from our companions?
Perhaps if we look hard enough, we can see the end of the road where it would be nice to have someone hold our hand as we step into the other world.
Maybe today we could enjoy some companionship while we get ready for the finale. Maybe today we will work at being a friend and finding a friend that we can walk with until.......... the end.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Contrasts
What would high be without low? What would light be without dark? What would happy mean to us if we had never been sad?
Naturally we want our path to be smooth. But smooth could become boring if we had never hit a surprise bump or been derailed by rocks in the road. Somehow life gets sweeter after we have been through the whirlwind, endured the tornado, or survived the tsunami. Somehow life after difficulty becomes more precious when the calm finally comes after the storm.
I have become thankful for contrasts. The lean times make the good times better. The trip from hell makes the other trips better. I am coming to understand the value of every season and every experience. Contrast makes life more amazing, more wonderful, and even more exciting.
Embrace the now, for things will surely change. Enjoy the contrast, and be thankful for this too shall pass.
Mark
Naturally we want our path to be smooth. But smooth could become boring if we had never hit a surprise bump or been derailed by rocks in the road. Somehow life gets sweeter after we have been through the whirlwind, endured the tornado, or survived the tsunami. Somehow life after difficulty becomes more precious when the calm finally comes after the storm.
I have become thankful for contrasts. The lean times make the good times better. The trip from hell makes the other trips better. I am coming to understand the value of every season and every experience. Contrast makes life more amazing, more wonderful, and even more exciting.
Embrace the now, for things will surely change. Enjoy the contrast, and be thankful for this too shall pass.
Mark
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Sabbatical
I am not sure anyone ever really explained the concept of a sabbatical to me, but I suspect that I have been on a writing sabbatical. It must have to do with taking a break. Every good journey needs a rest stop or two. Don't you agree?
Perhaps the sabbatical idea comes from the concept of a Sabbath rest. On the Sabbath, there is a place of faith where we rest and stop working. During the Sabbath rest, God does the providing and the renewing while those who rest simply rest and get refreshed. It is almost too simple, so please forgive me my workaholic friends.
Anyway, Since I have not written for months, I was not sure it mattered to anyone but me. But after my writing sabbatical, I can now say that I feel pretty rested.
Back to the point. The Sabbath rest is a place of faith. We rest because we need to rest and God made us that way. He said in Ecclesiastes that one hand full of rest was better that two fists full of striving after the wind. While many spend their lives striving, I prefer to rest as needed and find the provision of God in that place of rest. And now, I am ready to write again.
Blessings,
Mark Van Deman
Perhaps the sabbatical idea comes from the concept of a Sabbath rest. On the Sabbath, there is a place of faith where we rest and stop working. During the Sabbath rest, God does the providing and the renewing while those who rest simply rest and get refreshed. It is almost too simple, so please forgive me my workaholic friends.
Anyway, Since I have not written for months, I was not sure it mattered to anyone but me. But after my writing sabbatical, I can now say that I feel pretty rested.
Back to the point. The Sabbath rest is a place of faith. We rest because we need to rest and God made us that way. He said in Ecclesiastes that one hand full of rest was better that two fists full of striving after the wind. While many spend their lives striving, I prefer to rest as needed and find the provision of God in that place of rest. And now, I am ready to write again.
Blessings,
Mark Van Deman
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