Something defined as a "new beginning" only comes once in awhile in one's life. It is an opportunity to try something new, or to look at something old in a new way. A new beginning is a point in someone's life where they restart, revamp or redo something in their own personal life, to bring about changes in their future, and in their own way of thinking.
Today, excited to be back "home" in Kansas City, I pulled into IHOP ready to enter in to the prayer room. I parked next to a very interesting vehicle, though. It was a very old school bus, painted red, with beautifully made wood furnishings and designs in different parts of the windows and other areas. The doors on the bus were replaced with the beautiful wood designs and covers, and on top of the bus there was a big hump, like a smaller room, made out of the wood and designs as well. It was really strange to see, because the old metallic school bus greatly clashed with the beautiful wood furnishings on it, like the two weren't made to be together. I wish I had been able to take a picture, but sadly I do not own a camera (if anyone has an extra digital camera lying around, maybe God is calling you to bless me with it :). I could tell that someone lived in it, not just drove it. Peaking as far over the windows that I could, I didn't see any bus chairs or seats in there, but I couldn't really see that much.
Anyways, after inspecting the bus, I went into IHOP, and saw a couple outside the prayer room with a small child. Both of them had really long and beautiful dreads for hair, and you could tell that they had a "wilderness" or "separate world" look about them. I introduced myself to them and asked them if the bus was their's, and they said yes. It was really cool to look at them, and see the lifestyle that they live in, completely apart from this material world, living in the wilderness, away from politics and prejudice, laws and governments, rules and guidelines, expectations and fashions. I was struck in my heart seeing this small family, who seemed so far way from the rest of the world, yet so much closer to God! If a family like that entered into most of our modern-day church ministries, they would most likely be judged, shunned, or ridiculed. Seeing them gave me a desire in my heart, and changed something within me that I cannot fully explain. I found myself looking at my own life...looking at the fashion I was wearing, the hats, shoes, shirts and pants, the leather jackets and sunglasses, the computers and the ipods and everything else that I so clung onto as part of my identity, and found myself being disgusted! Why did I need to look like the rest of the world, to fit in to modern day fashions and styles? This man was in a raddy old unwashed pair of khakis and a t-shirt, and his wife was in a plain-colored simple long skirt and shirt. Their hair probably hadn't been washed in quite awhile, growing in dreads, and yet, they had such a cleanness around them at the same time, spiritually. I wanted that. I want to live that lifestyle, one of simplicity, one where people know who I am with no barriers in the way, one who knows his way around this earth and would step off into the wilderness and wild forests and places on his own, just to spend time with God, or to get away from the rest of this human-infested world. I found myself praying to God to live out that simple lifestyle, and the desire to do so. It was really neat.
This is kind-of a double blog. Those were some recent thoughts that have been on my mind today, and I wanted them written down. I just got back from a trip home yesterday, and to say the least, it was very interesting. I never knew how powerful a tool the prayer room was in my life until I found myself without it for a week and a half. I found it so much harder to set aside time for God during the day and get away from everyone else. Granted, I'm not saying that a prayer room is the only time you should be spending with God, or the only way too, because very few people in the nation have that kind of tool. I believe that setting aside time outside the prayer room with God is vastly important as well, and schedule in what I call "wilderness time" with God. It's basically where I go off somewhere away from everyone else (usually the forest or an open field or a lake) with just me, my guitar, my Bible, and my Lord, and spend time with Jesus. I would greatly encourage others to do the same, as it helps so much in growing with God, especially when you're away from all of these man-made things. Anyways, that was a little bunny trail, and another topic for another day. I had such peace when I arrived in KC yesterday, and was so happy to be back to what I consider "home" right now. Of course, it was awesome to be back in Kzoo for awhile, and see my friends and family, but at the same time I am at such peace where I'm at right now because I know for a fact that this is where God wants me right now in this phase of my life.
Going home was kind-of bittersweet for me. It was nice to see changes in some of my friends, seeing how much more they have grown in the Lord in my absense, and seeing what they are seeking after now as compared to two months ago. At the same time it was devestating to see other friends that have fallen further away from God in the past two months as opposed to growing in Him. I've also come to the conclusion on a very important thing: God doesn't always show the plans He has for someone concerning a certain area because once you know what He has planned, it sucks to see it not being fulfilled. I know this personally concerning my future, and also for friends and family of mine who are going through alot of crap right now. The situations seem absolutely impossible, and I don't have any idea how God is going to do it, but I know what He has planned, and I know the future concerning both of these issues, so I guess all I can do is continue to pray and continue to fast and continue to trust in the Lord.
Anyway, the point is, I'm glad to be back. And I feel that I'm entering in to a new season right now...I don't know what that's going to look like, but I think God has a few surprises for me throughout the second half of my first semester. I'm glad to be back, and ready to see what the God of my life has in store. Thanks, Jesus! :)
P.S. I hope to blog more of my thoughts and experiences soon, so expect another blog within the next week or two (I begin my new class with Dave Sliker tomorrow, on Eschatology...so that should be interesting :). Also, if you want to see when a new blog has been posted, add my blog to your subscription so that Myspace will inform you (that way I know who's taking the time to read these as well).
Peace and Joy.
