Adventures in Marble, Colorado Part 2
We had to figure out how to get the generator running and get the gas turned on before it got dark. Okay, "we" isn't exactly accurate, Joshua did everything, but I was moral support. He was able to accomplish all this without burning his eyebrows off which he was told was a possibility if he got to close to the pilot for the water heater. I really didn't need to know about that as it just added to my anxiety about being stuck up on that mountain. When everything was done for the night and we had something to eat we were able to just sit in the stillness and look out the a-frame window at the mountain peaks next door. We got to talking about how much life has changed since we met.
I will never forget during one of our break-ups before we were engaged (yes we had a couple of them) Joshua bought me a book called "Jesus + Nothing=Everything" by Tullian Tchividjian. He had bought me a second copy and invited me to read it with him. At the time I was not yet convinced that Joshua was the right one for me, but that book represented the kind of perspective I wanted to have in life. I wanted a life partner who would help me work toward this ideal. His invitation to read that book with him left an impression on me and I was fondly reminded of it again up there on that mountain. I was reminded of what our marriage was based on, not each other, but on Jesus alone and nothing else. I was reminded how difficult it has been to keep this in mind especially in the first couple years of marriage when everything is new and wonderful. I think this idea remains a lifelong challenge in life. It is an on going journey to not get caught up in the temporary things of life, but instead to keep focused on eternal things.
We are in a season of life where it seems everyone our age is working towards gaining more in every way. Many are getting married or entering committed relationships. We are working towards careers and better paying jobs. Some of us are continuing higher education trying to climb the ladder of credibility. We are having children, buying houses, buying things to put in our houses and the list goes on. It is an on going struggle for us to be content with little to nothing. When I think about what life will be like in about 20-30 years we will be down-sizing. Trying to let go little by little of everything we had gained. Children will grow and move out and we will no longer need a big house. Our priorities will change from working to provide for our family to being able to be more generous to those outside our home. Eventually, we will lose our parents, our friends, our health and ultimately our lives as we know them now. Remembering this helps me enter the process of letting go of my fear of losing all that I love on this earth. Having Jesus is everything I, all that I need. The things of this world are only temporary, the unseen is eternal.
I will never forget during one of our break-ups before we were engaged (yes we had a couple of them) Joshua bought me a book called "Jesus + Nothing=Everything" by Tullian Tchividjian. He had bought me a second copy and invited me to read it with him. At the time I was not yet convinced that Joshua was the right one for me, but that book represented the kind of perspective I wanted to have in life. I wanted a life partner who would help me work toward this ideal. His invitation to read that book with him left an impression on me and I was fondly reminded of it again up there on that mountain. I was reminded of what our marriage was based on, not each other, but on Jesus alone and nothing else. I was reminded how difficult it has been to keep this in mind especially in the first couple years of marriage when everything is new and wonderful. I think this idea remains a lifelong challenge in life. It is an on going journey to not get caught up in the temporary things of life, but instead to keep focused on eternal things.
We are in a season of life where it seems everyone our age is working towards gaining more in every way. Many are getting married or entering committed relationships. We are working towards careers and better paying jobs. Some of us are continuing higher education trying to climb the ladder of credibility. We are having children, buying houses, buying things to put in our houses and the list goes on. It is an on going struggle for us to be content with little to nothing. When I think about what life will be like in about 20-30 years we will be down-sizing. Trying to let go little by little of everything we had gained. Children will grow and move out and we will no longer need a big house. Our priorities will change from working to provide for our family to being able to be more generous to those outside our home. Eventually, we will lose our parents, our friends, our health and ultimately our lives as we know them now. Remembering this helps me enter the process of letting go of my fear of losing all that I love on this earth. Having Jesus is everything I, all that I need. The things of this world are only temporary, the unseen is eternal.
Love these thoughts Esther! Such a good reminder that so much of what we work for here is only temporal and fleeting. I like how you related this to marriage too.
ReplyDelete