How knowing about God has freed me to know God

I am currently in the midst of taking an Old Testament overview class working my way towards a Business Management degree. That may sound odd but Northwest University has a requirement of 15 credits of Bible classes. It isn't bad since I have a lot of Bible under my belt (get it Bible belt?!) and has actually been refreshing. I'm sure people don't often put the Bible and refreshing together, but I have found it to be that way. The different parts of what I thought were useless knowledge and facts from the Bible are coming together quite nicely. To be honest all my Bible knowledge has made me an arrogant prick at times, but I actually don't care how much I know any more. The beauty of these classes comes at a time when I no longer want to impress any person with how much Bible I know, and would much rather interact with the author.

Coming back to my thought in the title I have a very concrete example. When looking at the Old Testament sacrificial system (you sinned = kill a lamb) seems an odd way to go about things. An interesting point in a lecture, was that the blood cleanses, and the blood was not put on the person, but rather the different items in the tabernacle (Jewish portable temple). The atonement or payment for sin was multi-dimensional. Not only did it take some sacrifice (giving up valuable livestock, the time and effort it took to go through the process), but it was to make payment for the desecration of the tabernacle and by association God. When you sinned back in the day (time of Moses and the Exodus) it was all about restoring the holiness of the people of God, and atoning for your desecration of God's purity. It is a God centric focus rather than a man centric focus.

Knowing this about God is very encouraging! He took the best understanding of the day (common killing of animals as part of deity worship) and met the people where they were at. He didn't have to. He could have told them to do anything, but in His kindness he transformed their thinking to teach them who He was. He was actively sharing Himself with the Israelites, and restoring part of the functional brokenness seen in the end of the Genesis narrative. It seems God is interested in restoring holiness and rightness in a relational way even though humans have given God the finger since close to day one. I don't completely understand, since killing a goat because I lied doesn't seem normal, but that doesn't mean it is any less relational of God.

What I find really encouraging about this is that God meets people where they are at! You don't get a certain Biblical concept? That's okay God will work with what you do know! Have a few doubts about this whole faith thing? God is big enough to handle that too! Knowing a little bit more about God allows me to let go of my illusion of control a little more. Knowing about God expands my view and often shows me how small my concept of Him often is. The beauty of God is the He works with me in my small view of Him too! That is how good and relational, God really is. It is very freeing to trust in someone who meets you all the time wherever you're at in your understanding.

Knowledge for me these days isn't about believing I can know it all, (or even trying to) but rather letting go and trusting in a God who will constantly and consistently meet me where I am at, with what I know at the time. Knowing that simple obedience is enough, is slowly lifting the burden of the religious performance grind (what a drag!) and freeing me to enjoy a life in God. Even this small and tiny understanding gives God glory, and makes Him a little more, well real. Life can be a fun ride, but we only get to do it once. I hope it continues to be a relational one with God.

Taking stock: Why June is better than January

New Year's resolutions are all garbage and we all know it. We let the media push it down our throats every year without complaint. That is why I love June! June is the best time to take stock of life, goals, and really do a proper self assessment. Why you ask? Well I'll list some reasons...

1. June is a sunny time of year for most places in North America.
I don't know about you but I am happier when it is sunny. You want to try walking more, new foods, be more adventurous, etc. June is the time to do it! There are all sorts of festivals and fun stuff going on in June. Try making those changes in January when it is cold, miserable, wet, snowy, etc and you will find yourself like all the other lemmings diving off the cliff. Do yourself a favor try new things when it is sunny and you automagically feel good!

2. The gym is empty.
Number one most made and broken resolution is working out more. Gyms are crazy packed in January! Good luck finding open floor space much less a machine to work out on. Gym nuts hate January for a reason. Don't have the cash? Well in June the weather is nice so you can run outside, or cycle, or walk. Last time I checked walking was free. There is a big buff guy or gal out there who is thanking you right this second for joining a gym in June and not January.Do yourself a favor join a gym in June.

3. No pressure.
Anyone ever ask you what your New June resolutions are? I thought not. In June you have time to think about, "What are my real goals?" instead of trying to squeeze yourself into the tiny lame-o resolution box. Try discussing wanting to learn how to knit, particle physics, kick a football 50 yards, throw a discus, ride a horse, feed a bum, etc at a New Years party and see how far that gets you. You get the "Oh you are a dork!" face as they move on to another lemming. Do yourself a favor and make a goal in June you actually want to accomplish.

4. New Year's is about getting smashed.
To all of you who thought, "No it's not!" stop lying to yourself. Why is every cop you know working on New Years? Why are there so many celebrations over the change? I mean June first just rolled around! Toot! Happy New Year! That was the last May 31st of whatever year that just happened. Yet you go to work and do the same boring stuff. You didn't get hammered on May 31st. (Unless it was a weekend, or you are a complete alcoholic. If you are please get some help. Don't waste the beauty of life on an incomplete water molecule attached to two carbon molecules.) Do yourself a favor, if you are not getting smashed go to bed early. (unless you are like me and love fireworks, I am such a sucker for fireworks)

5. New Year's is arbitrary
Ever stop to think that every day is special and no day is special? I often hear people talk about 11/11/11, or other dates they think are super important. "Well what about yesterday?" I ask. Yesterday was the only day of it's kind what did you do to celebrate it? Most of the time the answer is nothing. Chinese New Year, totally random day on the western calendar, Jewish New Year same deal, Muslim New Year, well you get the picture. Some Cesar, King, or religion back in the day said this day is special, that day is not, here is the calendar, blah, blah, blah. Do yourself a favor and value every day. It is the only one you have.

6. A sense of urgency
You look at your goals and think, man I only have six months to get all this done! With that kind of time frame you really have to focus. There is no time to lie to yourself and say, "I have a whole year I'll do it tomorrow." It is a psychological trick you can play on yourself. Nope if you want to get something done in six months you really have to shut out all the other crap in life and focus, focus, focus. Do yourself a favor and focus on one thing you want for the next six months and totally go for it! You won't regret it.

So there you have it! Six reasons why June is better than January and always will be. Even a poet once wrote, "What is so rare as a day in June?" Don't waste them!

Got any of your own ideas for why June is better than January? Post away!

One fantastical year later...

...he emerged from the rubble of what he once thought was life. He learned lessons never to be forgotten or repeated. From then on his wisdom among men grew and they called him "The Last Pretender". The End

Wow, I just wrote that and even I want to be that guy!

A lot has changed in my life in one short year and a list, although it does not encompass the full range of experience and grandeur, is the most succinct way to accomplish this. From June 2010 - June 2011 here is what has happened.

1. Set off fireworks with the Elliots. I chose this over a large party with no fireworks. For the rest of my life I will always choose setting off fireworks over anything else on July 4th. Meet with the President of the United States or set off the fireworks at any major city? It's no competition the fireworks win. Sorry Mr. President.
2. Met Rachel ,now my girlfriend, at a barbecue
3. Camped together with Rachel and friends at La Push (West coast of WA) Had an awesome time! My sunburned feet were swollen for two weeks afterwards.
4. Started a new job, went from being a Lab Tech (analyzing blood, and other body fluids) to Lab Information Support
5. Stopped having to do the Reserve thing in OCT/NOV. Reservists are total slackers, don't let anyone tell you any different. YAY! One more year and I'm completely free from the military!
6. Christmas with the family and New Year's Eve with Rachel and friends watching the fireworks at the Space Needle. Live and for the first time! Cold but totally worth it.
7. Moved out of a crummy house in March, and into an awesome house with roommates
8. Started back to school in April and changed jobs again (see #9)!
9. Started working for SIEMENS supporting Laboratory Information
10. Into my first graded class, I have dated Rachel for 8 months, I am watching kids on Sunday mornings at 0900 so their parents can attend a service.

It has been super exciting, challenging, and busy! I know one thing for sure I have missed writing and even if I just throw something on here occasionally it is better than nothing. I hope I have learned something over the past year and have grown into a more loving person.

Forget New Year's resolution! June is the time to take stock of life!