Thoughts [3.10.09]

1. Let us burn again: "Holy fire from heaven, fall on us we pray, let us burn again." You know, like freshman year 1st semester, when Harvest, college, and having a real relationship with Him was so new. So FRESH. Burn again, like freshman year prayer gatherings. Burn again, like AMI revolution. Burn again, like past missions and retreats. Let us burn again! But also, let us burn for all of our days.

2. I've decided upon an image for myself in this race for Christ. I'm... the fat kid. You know, the one that's huffing and puffing when he's on the first lap of twenty. The one who's sweating bullets and resembles a large plum due to the odd hue of his skin. The one who's hopeless, out of place, and in way over his head.

But you know what? I'm gonna finish. After all of the competitors and spectators have gone home and the race is over, I'm gonna put one foot in front of the other until I cross the finish line. I'm gonna struggle against the weight of my body and the weight of the tiredness tearing away at my bones. I'm gonna bear the cramps that stabb javelins through my sides and fight for every mouthful of air.

And as I crawl my way across the finish line, a weathered hand will gently lift up my head. I'll look up to see a camera crew rushing up to meet me, exclaiming about some "interview with the winner". Confounded, I'll sputter out a couple of incoherent questions. They'll answer me, telling me that I won, that my substitute already ran the race 3 days ago and that I was already the international champ. Amazed, I'll look around for the man who lifted my head up.

And then, softly whispered into my ears, I'll hear the sweetest words I'll ever hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant." And all will be good.

*This is a declaration of intent, not an arrogant proclamation.