ordinary radicals...

this semester i've started a book group with some of my college students. we're reading through "irresistible revolution: how to become an ordinary radical" by shane claiborne. the book is an account of shane's journey of discovering what does it look like to really live out the gospel...it's taken him from sleeping on the streets with the homeless to calling mother teresa and being invited to serve in calcutta. it's been very inspiring but also challenging.

this is my last semester as an RD and i thought i might be separating myself from the students, from community. but i find myself still desiring to engage, be in dialogue. i've looked forward each week to meeting with this group...they're honest with their frustrations towards the "church" and other facets of christian culture. they sit in the tension of cynicism and hope. they want to see love be transforming.

the last chapter we discussed it ends with a quote from mother teresa..."calcuttas are everywhere if only we have eyes to see. find your calcutta."

so as a group we pray where is our calcutta here in grand rapids, where are injustices happening, where is there a need for love.

leaving...

the past couple of years i've experienced the season of lent in a new and redeeming way. growing up i thought of lent as the time you gave up chocolate and you couldn't eat meat on certain days and it all lead up to easter when i could gorge myself with chocolate bunny ears (that's the best part of course).

but my church, mars hill, changed my understanding of lent. it's now a season of leaving...and finding rest, peace, more space for love. so this year i've decided to "leave" my TV. a time sucker for sure, and sometimes a means to just fill the silent void. and surprisingly it hasn't been too hard...a little strange at first to have so much quiet. but i have all this time now to read, listen to music, connect with family and friends, catch up on projects, be still. i find that i'm going to bed sooner as well. no more late night tv to "unwind" from the day.

but i don't want to pride myself on this accomplishment. i want to remain focused that this season is more than just about what i will gain...but that i want to center myself so i can have more capacity to be aware of the injustices, the needs, the hungers and wounds that exist. the places where there should be more love, more peace, more justice. to know that the things that stir my heart are the things that stir the heart of God.