A few weeks ago, I had an assignment to complete. My task was to come up with a team name for Paul and me for an orienteering race. I thought about it for a day or so and finally came up with a name as I was writing in my journal. I decided upon oδoς, a Greek word transliterated as "hodos." This word means "way." It can refer to a literal way, like a road or journey for travel and navigation. Or it can refer to a metaphorical way - a course of conduct, a way of thinking, feeling, and acting. It is the word in the New Testament used to identify followers of Jesus (followers of "the Way").
I chose this word not only because of its applicability to navigation, but primarily because I realized as I was reflecting in my journal that day that my time in New Zealand has been all about cultivating a Way...
A Way in which we have good rhythms of work, play, and rest; where we take breaks to jump on trampolines and ride bikes and run in the hills.
A Way in which we know the times and know what to do.
A Way in which we are willing to ask for help.
A Way lived in community with others, where we increase social capital as we invest in one another's lives.
A Way in which we explore hard questions.
A Way in which we encounter God and Creation.
A Way grounded in the truth of how God defines us.
A Way in which we take good care of ourselves.
A Way where we focus not on being successful, but on being faithful.
A Way where we give and receive feedback.
A Way where we do small things with great love.
A Way where we have hard conversations and are not afraid of the "treaties" of our lives that are so often placed in the "too hard basket."
A Way were we are known by others.
A Way in which we deal with the waste that we generate as we interact with one another.
A Way where we push back on sin and bondage in the tiny corner of the world where God places us.
A Way where we fix broken things - broken things like relationships and social justice issues.
A Way were we check in with one another authentically.
A Way in which we do hard things, because it is indeed good to do hard things.
Besides cultivating this Way myself, I hope that the interactions I had with others as I gave leadership to camps this summer may have shaped the Way that others live. I believe that campers experienced a Way of life in Kaikoura and Makarora that may have transformed their lives too. And I pray that the Way of life I cultivated in New Zealand will continue to shape the rhythms and liturgies of my life back home, and that this Way will continue to transform our world, as it has since the original followers of the Way.
Thank you for your faithfulness in reading my blog this summer and for holding out to the last post. I hope that you enjoyed reading about my adventures in the beautiful land of New Zealand. Until my next adventure, peace be with you.
I chose this word not only because of its applicability to navigation, but primarily because I realized as I was reflecting in my journal that day that my time in New Zealand has been all about cultivating a Way...
A Way in which we have good rhythms of work, play, and rest; where we take breaks to jump on trampolines and ride bikes and run in the hills.
A Way in which we know the times and know what to do.
A Way in which we are willing to ask for help.
A Way lived in community with others, where we increase social capital as we invest in one another's lives.
A Way in which we explore hard questions.
A Way in which we encounter God and Creation.
A Way grounded in the truth of how God defines us.
A Way in which we take good care of ourselves.
A Way where we focus not on being successful, but on being faithful.
A Way where we give and receive feedback.
A Way where we do small things with great love.
A Way where we have hard conversations and are not afraid of the "treaties" of our lives that are so often placed in the "too hard basket."
A Way were we are known by others.
A Way in which we deal with the waste that we generate as we interact with one another.
A Way where we push back on sin and bondage in the tiny corner of the world where God places us.
A Way where we fix broken things - broken things like relationships and social justice issues.
A Way were we check in with one another authentically.
A Way in which we do hard things, because it is indeed good to do hard things.
Besides cultivating this Way myself, I hope that the interactions I had with others as I gave leadership to camps this summer may have shaped the Way that others live. I believe that campers experienced a Way of life in Kaikoura and Makarora that may have transformed their lives too. And I pray that the Way of life I cultivated in New Zealand will continue to shape the rhythms and liturgies of my life back home, and that this Way will continue to transform our world, as it has since the original followers of the Way.
Thank you for your faithfulness in reading my blog this summer and for holding out to the last post. I hope that you enjoyed reading about my adventures in the beautiful land of New Zealand. Until my next adventure, peace be with you.
Home again, home again
Comments
Our week in Chiapas was wonderful again this year. I really enjoyed all aspects of the trip. But one of the things that made it even more special was how welcoming and receptive the people from Chijtal were. I think it was partly because it was the first time a group from the US came to spend the week in their village. It was wonderful working, worshiping and sharing what we could together. The first day Pablo said he hoped for 20 people from the village to work on the building project, but there were 120 ! That’s men and women, plus there were about 50 very energetic kids in VBS each day. We also visited another church close by for a worship service and dinner one evening. They received us in the same way. It was so good to connect with the people from both churches like we did.
Blessings
Mr. Zearley
Thanks for sharing about your Chiapas trip. It is great that you all were able to travel to a new village and also connect with the other church close by. I am sad that I missed it. It is good to hear that it was another good trip to Chiapas!