The Family of God

This morning, while walking back from the gym, Lacey and I heard the church bells downtown playing this hymn. As I reflected on events from yesterday, I couldn't help but rejoice in God's love and goodness.


From the door of an orphanage to the house of a king,
No longer an outcast, a new song I sing;
From rags unto riches, from the weak to the strong,
I'm not worthy to be here, but Praise God! I belong!

I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God
I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I'm part of the family, the family of God.

I think the greatest thing about this family is the common bond that we have. The love of Christ joins us in a way that nothing else can. Let's compare it to the bond that we have with our fellow Americans. When travelling overseas, I often chat briefly with other Americans abroad. But the conversation is often stilted and awkward and ends when we realize we have very little to talk about.

Not so with my Christian brothers and sisters. The bond we have comes from the fact that the Spirit of the Living God is in each of us. Our sins have been nailed to the cross - together - and we have been called children of the Most High and coheirs with Christ. We are bound to each other not just in this life, but for all eternity.

That is why two strangers can meet at a professional baseball game and end up walking the streets of an unfamiliar city, enjoying meaningful conversation about the passions of their hearts. About salvation, about Africa, about bringing hope to the world, about calling, about living a life that really matters. No moments of uncomfortable silence. Just two hearts in complete accord about what is important. A beautiful thing.

And I remembered why someday I simply must return to Africa: because that's where I left my heart.

Some Thoughts on Weddings

They're expensive and highly emotionally charged. Lately, they are all I kind think about.

It seems that everybody is getting married this summer. I graduate May 17, head to Taiwan from June 26 to July 22, and then move to Williamsburg sometime after August 9. Why after August 9? Because that's the date of the final wedding of the summer.

I looked at the calendar today and found that of the weekends this summer that I will be in the country, I will attend a wedding on every one except May 23. On two of those weekends I was forced to decide between two different friends. That made for some awkward moments. Four days after I get back from Taiwan I'm a bridesmaid in my roommate's wedding (which makes me pray every night that I don't get another nasty spider bite this year).

Despite how this post might sound, I am excited about it. I have known these couples for years and love them all and I'm so happy for them. But, at the same time, I've had it with hearing about dresses and cake and photography packages.

It makes me wonder. We spend months preparing for a wedding, but how much time do we devote to preparing for a marriage?

From what I've seen lately, not much at all.

Here Goes Nothing

I had a blog once before about three years ago. I can't believe it was really three years ago, but that's what the calendar's telling me. I'd like to think I'm a lot wiser now than I was then and that this blog will be actually worth your time and mine, but I make no guarantees. The reality is something pretty close to the words of the Jars of Clay song that I borrowed for my blog's title:

Confused enough to know direction
The sun eclipsed enough to shine
Be still enough to finally tremble
And see enough to know I'm blind
And see enough to know I'm blind.

So check back every once in a while. I'll let you know what I'm learning, and maybe you can teach me something too.