Just passing through

I am a recent college graduate… 8 days ago, to be exact.  During these past 4 years, I have been in a constant state of not really living in any one place.  Anyone else who has been through college or may currently be getting their college degree probably has a pretty good idea what I am talking about.  For those of us who choose a college farther than a city or two away from home, we don’t really live at home anymore.  But we also don’t really live in this oversized building filled with ridiculous numbers of other crazed 20-somethings called a dorm.  Over the weekends, we can end up anywhere: the beach, a friend’s house, Grandma’s, the occasional trip home for food and laundry, or maybe someone else’s dorm room.  You’re in a constant state of movement.

At some point during these 4 years, I mastered what it means to live in such a way that

 (hopefully) makes moving to wherever that next location may be a little easier.  For example, keeping things rarely used in their boxes is always a good idea.  In fact, this past year, I moved at least two boxes home that had never been opened during the course of the school year.  But it always made me feel better knowing I had those boxes of seeming “essentials,” just in case.  I also learned that moving clothes from one closet to another is best done by keeping the clothes on the hangers.  Quicker out, quicker in.  And for those of us who live far enough away that two trips to take things home is unacceptable, I have learned the utmost importance of using that trip home during Spring Break to your best advantage (bring home those boxes you never used for the past 8 months… you won’t use any of it during that last month, I promise). 

As tempting as it may be to bring more “essentials” back to your undersized dorm or apartment while being home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or other breaks long enough to make the trip home, you should be very selective.  That car that was a little over-packed on the way to your school back in August won’t suddenly have more room in May for that extra bookshelf, box of VHS tapes you swore you’d watch during finals week, or that tennis racket you promised to use on every sunny weekend. 

All this to say, I think I know the ropes of “living on the go” (and I have an awesome mother who does things like take carloads and U-haul loads back for me in May).  I haven’t really felt settled for these past 4 years.  Over the summers, I left boxes in the garage (or even worse, in my car!), stuffed closets full of clothes that should really be donated or at least re-evaluated before taking up precious space in my less than spacious closet, and contemplated the need to actually keep those ridiculously pricey textbooks about managerial accounting, the history of the Baptist church, and how to “figure out foreigners.”  I couldn’t help but feel like no matter where I ended up for the current segment of months, that place was not really my home. 

Do you ever feel like that here on Earth?  Like you’re not really at home yet?  Like you haven’t reached all you’re hoping to accomplish?  Like you can’t quite feel at ease with your current lot in life?  If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, rest assured you’re not alone.  In fact, you’re probably right where you should be.

“For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come” (Hebrews 13:14).  We really are just passing through.  This world is just a pit stop for us to be used by God for his glory while we are really on our way to where we are supposed to be.  That feeling of being under satisfied and uncomfortable is a natural part of life here on Earth. 

So for the time being, figure out what makes this “passing through” life a little easier… keep your hanging clothes on their hangers, pack your boxes wisely, and don’t stuff your car too full.  Let God have his way with your life and remember you’re just passing through a couple temporary cities.  

He's calling you to do the "Boot Scootin' Boogie"

In a house full of student teachers, we don’t get out much.  But in celebration of a roommate’s birthday, we took it upon ourselves to embrace the true culture of Oregon: line dancing.  I love to dance, however, I wouldn’t consider myself gifted in the area.  But seeing as I always have a good time playing “Just Dance” on the Wii, and I’m always looking for new ways to get in a workout, I figured the night should be fun, or at the very least, eventful.    

When we arrived at the Silver Spur, the scene I saw as I walked in the door was not at all what I expected.  Yes, there were people dancing; yes, they were wearing cowboy boots; yes, there was country music; yes, there were even a few cowboy hats.  But the looks on the faces of the people dancing was not at all what my imagination had conjured up on our long (roundabout) way to our Friday night hangout.  And trust me, I had time to create a pretty vivid image in my mind, as we were lost for a good ten extra minutes.  Their faces were lifeless.  They weren’t smiling, singing, or appearing to have a good time in any way.  This is not what the movies show line dancing to be like; the people in the movies are always smiling and having a ball.

Not having a clue how to do the “shuffle step,” the “chasse,” the “hoedown throw down,” or the “wild wild west boogie,” we decided it best to sit out the first few dances in an attempt try to gain some sort of knowledge on this supposedly festive, but seemingly lifeless, form of dance.

After getting up the courage to brave the dance floor, our group of 8 decided to join in.  We weren’t exactly naturals… our performance during the first few dances was actually rather pitiful.  I stepped on a few toes, ran into a few “regulars,” and laughed my way through “Redneck Girl,” “Watermelon Crawl,” and “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.”  I watched the feet of the regulars, and man with striking similarities to Alan Jackson called out the moves for our hopeless group of “city folk.” 

Maybe our dancing was inhibiting the “groove” these naturals had established before our chaotic arrival, but I saw a change in their lifeless faces.  People were smiling (disregard the fact they were probably laughing at us).  People seemed to be having fun.  Maybe they liked the challenge of having to dance around a bunch of obstacles.  Maybe they liked seeing new faces.  Maybe they just really liked the way I was singing “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.”  But there was finally joy on the dance floor. 

Sometimes God brings us into situations where we feel like we have a metaphorical pair of two left feet.  It can be intimidating.  You might end up feeling like you have nothing of value or skill to offer.  And you may feel like you’d prefer to sit outside the dance floor.  I don’t mean to make light of the importance of God’s call with my reference to line dancing; following His will can be a scary and intimidating thing.  But it is an important truth to remember that God uses us in our weaknesses to be lights and servants to the world around us. 

“And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”  -2 Corinthians 12:9

Prepare to be surprised in how God uses your weaknesses (possibly even more than your strengths) in your service.  Maybe your role in service will end up looking a lot different than you imagined, but trust that God has the power to use you in the way He calls you… even if He’s calling you to do the “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.”