I leave for Wheaton tomorrow; the summer is (nearly) officially over. So how ‘bout that trip to Ashkelon? What did I take away from it all? I’ve had plenty of time to think about it now: and I’ve decided that it really is high time that I let you all tap into my neurons.
Remember those 6 hopes/goals I had for my time in Ashkelon? In case you don’t, here they are:
1.Trip over inspiration
2. Discover something new
3. Initiate or catalyze growth
4. Whet an appetite for the world and the people who live in it
5. Collect some cool stories
6. "Keep in step with the Spirit", as I tread along new roads (Gal 5:25)
This is my “list of potential”…it’s my way of making sure that each moment means something – it keeps my moments from actually being wasted, even if they do look like they are spent in leisure.
So here’s how it’s gonna go down: I will (try to) respond to each of the six points in a succinct and thorough way (after all, there are six points), and that will serve as the flip side of our coin, so to speak. Here we go.
1. Trip over inspiration. I was inspired. It was so hard not to be! Fresh faces, fresh lands, fresh activities tend to do that to you, I think. By the end of the trip I had written 124 pages of new notes, stories, and observations into my journal.
2. Discover something new. Well, I discovered a lot of old things as I dug through ancient dirt. Pots, jewelry, and bones were all great, but what was new? What was fresh? I learned that the old truths hold true everywhere, which was a new lesson for me. Food still brings people together. Being bold can still be extremely rewarding. Letting God be in control is still the wildest but safest bet a person can make.
3. Initiate or catalyze growth. Okay, I learned a LOT. And I would love to share it all, but that would make for a VERY long post. So, I’m gonna say it quick. Ready? I learned (1) that I like to work hard – I mean, really. I had no idea I enjoyed it so much. I went to Israel and picked up a revolutionary work ethic. And I learned (2) that if I want to be a leader, I can be. I always kinda figured myself incapable on this front, but not so. I just need to step up and practice. (And in the words of the Summit, ‘lead where you are – everyone can do it’. That’s really true, guys! If it’s true for me, then it is definitely true for you!)
4. Whet an appetite for the world and the people who live in it. I saw the world at the smallest it’s ever been. A country about the size of New Jersey really is the earth in microcosm. The poor’s scarcity rubs up against the wealthy’s abundance. Daily evidence of thick unrest stares down shalom. Ancient ruins stubbornly stand among modern buildings. They are all met together in a land sewn with blood and fertilized by history. I met people electrically charged with passion by their patriotism and belief. I also met passive, lethargic people. I experienced what you probably already know: that people are people everywhere: that they are either active or passive about life. And as for me, I choose to be ACTIVE!
5. Collect some cool stories. I recently read somewhere an idea about stories. In the book, the author said that our lives are lived out in narrative form. It’s because of this reason that human beings are so drawn to stories, and one reason why (the author suggests) that Jesus taught us through parables. Because they resonate with us in a way that a normal lecture or seminar never could. I didn’t recognize it then, but I think that’s why I was so interested in “collecting cool stories” when I was in Israel…because it’s such a fundamentally human thing. Where life looks different the stories inevitably take on a different shape, but there remains a common base note. Stories are a human hallmark. SO. It was in talking with the people that I gathered these narratives. I have to say, that my cab drivers provided stories that have since become my favorites. The three that stick out in my mind – Loui, Yousef, and Nissan – had things to offer and share and of course many questions to ask (as is only fair). I’m not sure what else I can tell you without going into massive detail….and I don’t think anyone wants that right now. Maybe later though. I will carry the bits of narrative that those men shared with me until I’m able to write them down or something…Maybe. I dunno…Let’s move on!
6. “Keep in step with the Spirit,” as I tread along new roads (Gal 5:25) This was a matter of being who I’m supposed to me and bearing my mark as God’s kid. Simple enough, right? It’s a simple enough sentence, at least. Actually, it’s kind of tough to do (but we all probably knew that already, didn’t we?). Pretty much, “keeping in step with the Spirit” looked like humility for me, this summer. That and remembering who I’m supposed to be and that I really do bear the mark as God’s kid, and that’s no mistake. Those two biggies are the theme-song-thoughts of my summer in Ashkelon. I’d be happy to chat in more depth about it, if you want to know more. But for now I’m kind of proud of how I was actually able to crush those big lessons down into two small sentences (that are also deceptively simple, go figure).
Okeydokey, faithful readers. I guess this is it. For Ashkelon, at least. This experimental blog has been a good thing for me, but next time (if there is a next time) I’ll be a little more consistent at it for your sakes. Thank you, for reading!! I appreciate it, a lot. But now, in the words of the classic Saturday morning cartoons, “That’s all folks!”
