PROVIDER
Initially moving up north to live with Allison was an inconvenience, but the little inconveniences have become great blessings when put up against His abundant provision. My friend John gave me an orca card (public transit pass) with enough balance to pay for bus fares for the rest of the summer. Now I don't worry about being stranded anywhere. I'm also not lacking in access to the gems of Seattle parks and recreation because now I have a bike (two actually).
Getting around isn't hard. From Greenlake, it's ten blocks in any direction to find a shopping center or coffee shop. It's 5 miles in either direction to the closest CrossFit Boxes. I've been visiting around on my days off. (It's fun how I can say now that I'm from Jet City CrossFit and people will say "that's awesome!" instead of "where the hell is that?") I'm getting people to show up at Jet City for a throwdown on Friday. It pays to get around and be social.
One special connection is Scott Rodriguez who owns Stoneway CrossFit by SPU. Bethany met Scott at her Level 1 Cert and they hit it off well. I didn't know him well, but heard he was a cool dude. When I started going to Mars Hill in Belltown, I got connected with a community group led by Jeremy Herring. Jeremy knows Scott through Corey McGee (Scott's business partner at the start of SWCF). They both go to Mars Hill in Ballard. It gets better. Joe (Allison's husband), who is a pastor at Bethany Community Church by Greenlake, goes to SWCF. You can imagine my delight at coming to find this connection. What is that? Three degrees of separation?
It makes me feel solidly integrated and welcomed BY GOD when I see that He has established community for me even long before I had to transit into the new living circumstances.
ADVENTURER
I set my feet outside my door on the sunny weekends and I ask Him to take me somewhere. There is an itching to get out of the house and find something new, something exciting, something grand.
One Saturday after work I ended up in Fremont because a homeless man I prayed for in downtown told me to go there to "fellowship, because people need me." It happened to be the Solstice Festival/Naked Parade that day. I hugged a creepy drunk guy clad in bright colors and bought bacon socks with Allison. It was a day of blessings. I kept my head up and heart open to where the Lord wanted me to minister.
One day I rode my bike to the University Village and enjoyed the ambiance with a chai latte, and journaled.
I rode to the U district for a prayer meeting about the abolition of modern day slavery, human trafficking, and prostitution, an issue that many of my Christian friends contend for. I found the meeting adventurous in itself as God revealed his broken heart to the saints and Holy Spirit showed up to lead us in unity and intercession. I left joyful, not despairing-- trusting that God is sovereign and relentless and hears the prayers of his saints.
I hunger for people watching and go to Greenlake to sit on the grass. I watch the crazy Seattle-clouds-dancing-with-sun sky reflect off the water and shimmer in the waves. People run, power-walk, bike, and skate by. Each so unique-- God teaches me a lesson in appreciating the beauty of variety.
I'm at the gym four days a week now, mornings and afternoons. We added an Olympic Lifting class twice a week. I've received great reviews about this class from clients. It is my favorite to teach, as we do less heavy work and lots of technical pvc work, mobility, and midline stability. We've spent several weeks with just pvc and barbell, and will spend several more. It feels good to start people from basics, and not be rushed or feel pressure to put heavy weight overhead (We have a Max for the Day session on Saturdays for this very purpose). The class favors the regular attender. I say it is just as much thinking as moving, but not to say it won't "kick your ass."
The hour commute is adventurous. I ride a creepy bus, but in general riding the bus is no longer daunting; the city feels accessible... not scary for once.
ROMANCER
My God is a wild lover.
I'm finishing reading a book called the Sacred Romance, which tells the story of our hearts and God's heart. It elaborates on our call to adventure and romance, how we each hunger and hope deep down for this kind of life. But alas, because of the Arrows of life, and Satan's schemes, we repress this desire and move into a life of quenched love and dead religiosity.
All the hurt we experience is part of God's design to win our hearts. We come to judge God because of the Arrows, but fail to recognize his Sovereignty over it all.
Would we rather live lives of quietness and routine than surrender to the tumultuous adventurousness of our lover's pursuits?
I am captivated.
"I am my beloved's and His desire is for me."
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