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April 2009 - Inspired Living
Namaste(the God in me greets the God in you)!
First of all, I must confess that though this last month of solid, All-India travel and exploration has been completely exhilarating, it feels WONDERFUL to be back at the Mandirams Society! It is a welcome relief to feel like I can let my guard down a little bit now that I am not constantly on the move in places and situations that are new to me. I have had a completely packed month of unforgettable and meaningful experiences to be sure, but I am so glad to be home. What I mean is that it's nice not to have to think two steps ahead anymore; I don't need to contemplate what time I need to take which mode of transportation to and from where, figure out how much longer I can reasonably go without sink-washing my backpack-supply of clothing for the month, or even search for the most reasonable place to get my next meal from. But best of all, I am finding myself more excited than ever about embracing my remaining months here in India with the Amachees(Grandmothers), Appachens(Grandfathers), orphanage girls, nursing students, and
staff here at Mandiram! I am back where I belong; in a place I have built relationships, where I feel both wanted and utilized, and where I have made myself comfortable but not complacent. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to reimmerse myself in this community I have come to know and love!
I may have jumped the gun a little by starting off telling you about my return from North India instead of accounting for the weeks of the journey, but I am just so thrilled to be back that I had to share that with you first! April presented me with numerous new experiences to be sure. If I had to narrow it down to the most enthralling experiences I would highlight the Taj Mahal in Agra, hiking in the Himalayas in Mussouri, talking with exiled Tibetan monks in Dharamsala, the Golden Temple (holiest place of Sikhs) in Amritsar, and the India-Pakistan border-closing ceremony in Atari. If you ever get the chance to go to India and experience these things, do it!
On a more thoughtful note...
During April's tour I had a number of experiences, both positive and negative, that really made
me pause to think about the preciousness of life. Our lives, at least the portion lived in our present material world, are so finite! We only have so many years to live out, to enjoy, and to make a difference with. Carpe Diem! Don't wait! Really live and make the most if it! Seize the day!
"But how?" you might ask. How do you begin to seize the day? It must start with a self-assessment; a sorting out of priorities. What's most important to you and how do the various facets of your life relate to these priorities? Even if you feel certain of what your priorities are or need to be, I urge you to present these things to God in prayer. Ask Him to show you the areas of your life that He wants to help you grow in, and maybe some areas you need to let go of. Ask Him to open opportunities for you to be challenged, and meaningful ways to engage the world around, as part of the life of vitality He desires for you. At least in my life, there are some things that don't line up as well as I would like
them to. Maybe I spend too much time on things that are not priorities, and don't expend enough effort in some of the things that should really matter to me. When you find incongruences, stop and consider,"How can I adjust my time, efforts, resources, and activities to reflect these priorities?"
I have a fairly ridiculous mental picture of sitting with God in a grassy field, talking about how to begin really living, for the sake of myself and those around me. I've just finished complaining about not having the energy, the courage, the wisdom or the discipline to change, and this is God's response:
"Just ask me what to do. I'm here for free consultation every moment of every day. Granted, I will be telling you what to do in order to accomplish my own desires, not yours, but you'll learn... my desires will become your desires as you grow. I mean, even my foolishness is wiser than your wisdom. 😊 Really all you need to do is keep me at the center. After all, who knows better than me? And who knows and can supply for your needs better than I can? And what fulfillment even compares to
mine? We are in a dynamic relationship here, remember? I love you more than anything. Really, more than anything! If I love you like that, how could I ever lead you into anything that isn't the absolute best thing for you? You may not understand all of the time, in fact you may think I'm off my rocker, and you may have more questions and ambiguities than answers, but hang on to me. The fullest life is lived only in me and fulfilling my desires. I will give you strength. I am enough. Trust me and I will supply you with the strength you need when you need it. All I ask is that you trust me and seek to be my hands and feet to those around you; I will lead you."
I truly want to live a life that epitomizes the joyful eagerness and drive of "Carpe Diem!," particularly because life is finite and we will only pass this way once. Seeking God�€™s desires, I want a life whose consuming passions are to bring justice, peace, mercy and love, but where is all that energy going to come from?! In the words of advice one pastor here,
Thomas Samuel Achen, shared with me, "Stop living for Jesus, and let him live in you!"
Jesus is to be the means as well as the end result. Jesus is peace, mercy, faithfulness, truth, unconditional and inexhaustible love, hope and strength for the weary, justice for the oppressed, bread for the hungry, and peace and healing for the devastated. To step out in faith, letting Christ live in you, to accomplish such priorities and those specific priorities God has given you is righteousness. God provides the promptings and guidance, and he will grant you the means, including the energy (which is good news to me)! He offers a life of true vitality if we're up for the challenge.
So I ask you this: Are you up for it? Carpe Diem!
Peace and hope be with you all!
Love,
Rebecca Mehl (2009 India ELCA YAGM)
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