Up to the Mountain

I am still reveling in the joy of yesterday. A proud day for America. A day that marked the end of an old era and the beginning of a new. On January 20th, 2009 I watched through blurry, tear-filled eyes as Barak Hussein Obama was sworn in as the first African American President of the United States of America. It is hard to express the emotions of that moment. Hope and pride welling up inside. 2oo plus year of our country's history, full of moments that made it all possible, running through my mind. Obama's hand resting on Abraham Lincoln's bible. Millions gathered in Washington and billions more in front of TV's, computer screens and radios around the world experiencing history together. I don't know if I have ever seen my country so united.

It seemed so fitting, like God predestined it to be, that Obama would be sworn in on the day after the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr's life and legacy. Without MLK I am certain that this day would still be a long way off. While many had the words of King's "I have a Dream" speech ringing in their ears yesterday I was thinking of a different speech. Just one day before he was assassinated Martin Luther King Jr had this to say...

Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.

For so many Americans the floodgates of possibilities opened up for them yesterday, because of the long line of men and women, including MLK and culminating with Barak Obama, who believed that America was truly the land where all men are created equal.

A favorite musician of mine, Patty Griffin, wrote a song in tribute to MLK and his "I've been to the mountaintop" speech. The melody has been playing through my head for last few days now. Black or white, we could all use this kind of faith that God can and will make good on his promises. As we journey ahead into uncertain times we need great hope that we can persevere. Both King and Obama said that there would be dark days ahead, but both men remind us that we will get to the other side. The question of if has now been shattered. The only question left is when.

"Up To The Mountain (MLK Song)"

I went up to the mountain because you asked me to
Up over the clouds to where the sky was blue
I could see all around me everywhere
I could see all around me everywhere

Sometimes I feel like I've never been nothing but tired
And I'll be walking till the day I expire
Sometimes I lay down, no more can I do
But then I go on again because you ask me to

Some days I look down afraid I will fall
And though the sun shines I see nothing at all
Then I hear your sweet voice, oh
Oh, come and then go, come and then go
Telling me softly You love me so

The peaceful valley just over the mountain
The peaceful valley, few come to know
I may never get there ever in this lifetime
But sooner or later it's there I will go
Sooner or later it's there I will go

Thinking of Hawaii

It is a lazy Friday with the luxury of time for day dreaming. And that usually means I am thinking about Hawaii, wondering what my life could be like there. I think I mentioned before that the biggest concern in leaving Seattle is finding the same kind of community and friendships that I have known here. I feel lucky to already have a few friends there (plus the possibilty of adding to that number on my upcoming trip in only 43 days). But still I don't want to cling to those few people for community. I have started looking into ways to get involved in the community and meet people once I am kama`aina (that's means resident in Hawaiian).

I have recently signed on to start volunteering with Habitat for Humanity here in Seattle and plan to continue with that in Hawaii at the Honolulu chapter. I have also looked at getting involved with the Surfrider Foundation. They have beach clean up days and other events. It seems fitting to really do what I can to be a good steward of the ocean since I know it will be the source of so much of my fun and adventure on Oahu. Another amazing organization I found is Spirit Sessions. It's a surfing outreach program for at-risk youth. I will need to brush up on my surfing skills a bit before jumping in there but it sounds like a really amazing program. I have also started searching for churches in the Honolulu area. I will be there one Sunday in March so maybe I'll be able to visit one.

All of these things get me excited about the possibilities of a new life in Hawaii. The one time in my life that I made a major move across statelines was for school. While it was still a little scary and mysterious so many things that I needed were built in. A purpose and community all part of the package. But now I am planning a move with no real aim except to start a new life, start fresh. I am not moving for a job or a relationship. I guess, simply put, I am moving because I can. For a while now I have been hearing God speak the same words over and over again. "Stop waiting for the life you want and start living the life you have." I sometimes I find myself a bit ashamed of my life. Not because of things I do, but all the things I don't. I want to take advantage of all the blessing of being where I am in my life. I don't want to miss an opportunity to grow and become more complete. I don't want to pass up an open door in the hopes that something better will come along. And Hawaii seems to be the open door right now.

A Good Word and An Honest Response

This past Sunday, at Bethany Community Church, Richard had a very good word for us all. As the first Sunday of a new year it was a look at establishing some new ways. Richard talked about 3 different areas to cultivate in our spiritual lives; the way we steward our relationship with the Holy Spirit, the way we steward the talents God has given us, and the way we steward the "least of these" around us. As I have spent some time pondering these things the last few days I find myself struggling a bit at how to take these lessons and live them.

I have always struggled with the first point, my relationship with the Holy Spirit. I am hopelessly human and therefore I cling to tangible things. It is hard to devote myself to a thing I cannot see or touch or hear in a physical way. I know that prayer and communion with God is a thing I need desperately. And I have tasted the amazing fruits that can come from spending time there. But the fruit comes only through keeping present with God through it all, including the silent waiting. Spending time with God is not like spending time with a friend in the physical world. There are no hugs, no nods of agreement. Well maybe there are. Maybe He nods in the movement of the trees in the wind and hugs us with the warm colors of a sunset. I need to keep mindful that God's ways are not like ours and learn better how to experience the ways that he does respond. I need to learn the discipline of prayer and silence.

I struggle too, though perhaps a little less, with the issue of my talents. Any success I have had with talents has come because of their tangibility. These are the things I can do, make and say. My talents take physical shape. But then there is the question...what are my talents? What are the unique gifts that God has placed on me so that I may be a gift to the world? There are some areas that I have discovered my talents and shared them without fear or hesitation. Hospitality would one talent I am happy to invest. Then there are other areas that have all the signs of a talent, yet I am terrified to place them out in the light for all too see and judge. My music has always been a source of private comfort, but public terror. Perhaps because it is a more vulnerable expression of my inmost self and the thought of not being good enough in the eyes of another cuts deep. I need to learn to let go of the fear and share freely the gifts that have been given to me so freely.

And lastly the way I interact with the world around me, the world in need. More and more the needs grow. More and more my heart softens to the plight of those less fortunate, of whom the number is too great. But still my actions are severely deficient in comparison to my capabilities. Living in an urban setting there is no shortage of people in need that cross my path each day. So often I walk around with my eyes fixed on the ground and my mind fixed inwardly on my own wants and needs that I miss the opportunities that abound. There are simple things that I can do that don't require a huge shift in the way I live. To keep a few granola bars in my car to give to the homeless at the intersection on the way home from work. To help someone struggling with a heavy load by carrying a bag or two. I need to learn to look out into the world, away from myself, and see the needs of others and do what I can to meet them.

While it is good to think about such things it is my hope that as I journey ahead that these thoughts will make way into action. And that those actions will be a blessing to God and to the world!

The Beginning of a Year of Change

It is January again! 2009! I can hardly believe that another fresh, new year is upon us. They seem to pass so quickly. And as I get used to the act of writing 09 in the date I have been thinking about how I want to spend this year. It looks as if it will be a year of great change in my life. I have been contemplating a move to Hawaii in the fall, after over 8 years in Seattle. There have been many things to confirm that this is the path that I should go down and with that in mind there are so many things that come to mind of things I need to do if I am to make that huge leap of faith.

I could bore you with my list of to-do's. Buy less/save more, work on resume, sell/donate unnecessary belongs, etc. But those are just the things that will make the logistics of this huge change/move more managable. What about the feelings that come to the surface? There are more than just clothes, books and kitchen gadgets to sort through. Seattle has been my home for close to a decade now. The friends that I have made here have become my family. I have put down significant roots in this town and it may be hard to uproot them. But in spite of any heartache there is also great excitement and joy at the possibilities that lay ahead. Something tells me there will be many more posts on this topic this year.

So Happy New Year friends! I am hopeful that it will be rich year for us all.