King and the Half-King

Tanacharison, the Half-King of the Six Nations during the formative years of George Washington's life, was quoted in Washington's journal from his early years in the military as saying something incredibly humble and yet provocative, even offensive to some:

'We live in a Country between, therefore the Land does not belong either to one or the other[English or French]; but the Great Being above allow'd it to be a place of Residence for us [Seneca Tribe].'

How awesome it is that a tribal leader and representative of so many people, nations that had lived in this particular land for hundreds of years prior, would claim no right to the land, but only that it's been a gift to his people, though 'God-willing' would remain one.

Now I'm sure there's a larger context to the statement and I assume his desire truly was to keep his land free from the effects of the Europeans, at least the negative effects. That said, it's a truly fantastic worldview. I immediately think of Paul's comments regarding the Believers state of being in this land:

'So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal...We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.' (2 Cor. 4:18, 5:8)

Paul does something often in his letters. He spends time noting how thankful he is that God is working _____, or that his audience is _____, or that the Spirit has been _____. So on the one hand we set our hope on the eternal land that God has set apart for His people, yet we remain thankful of our current blessings, which God allows and/or provides. Paul notes that our bodies are temporary and all the while he models a spirit of humble thankfulness.

We still live in a land in between. In between what was perfect in the Garden of Eden and what will be perfect when The Great Being (Jesus Christ) redeems His creation in full. Claim nothing, but humbly honor what has been given, most notably reconcilliation with the Creator through Christ.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 for a discussion on the temporary nature of the body and the real purpose of life. Read His Exellency George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis

Nomads and Discernment

1)  Physical: An experiential reminder of what we truly need in order to do life...no computer, ipod, personal library etc.

2)  Social: With community: shared meals, shared parenting, shared laughs, shared life, shared imperfect-but-beneficial-to-all Christ-based-community.

3)  Mental: Appropriate time to ponder what Christ is doing through His Spirit in this season...without said modern distractions. As one famous punk singer called this sort of thing 'a cerebral scrub!'

4)  Emotional: Time outside the norm. Time to be separate. Time for distance. Space for renewal. Who doesn't like a good cry?

5)  Familial: Simply being with my family through heat, cold, rain, thirst, packing, cooking, firing, kids, bugs, swimming, sand, tantrums, laughs, challenges, joys, new experiences. Growth.

6)  Hygienic: Well, it's camping, not to much say about that...fresh undergarments anyone?

7)  Spiritual: All of the above and more combined to create a very real, very tangible movement of the Spirit in real time, away from the normal rhythm of life and regular time in the Word.

This camping trip has been a metaphorical taste of the greater nomadic journey my family and I are venturing out on. No place to attach our name to - though borrowing a room in a home to live in until the Lord provides other means. No job to commit my time to, nor receive compensation from - until that door opens in due time. New social arena. New environment to ponder life in and about. New spiritual season in which to set up camp with all it's challenges and joys, many of which are parabolic to the very nature of camping itself.

I am exhausted and yet refreshed. I am humbled and yet filled anew with confidence. I am discerning what's best and yet banking on the Spirits guidance, yet knowing little of what's in store.

'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion' (Romans 9:14-16). Is God unjust in saying this to myself and my wife, who are giving up our home, community, comfort for His work? I don't think so.

He is the Creator of life and definer of purpose and justice. We are the created and the receptors of His purpose and His justice. He died on our behalf so that we would know Him personally, eternally. I may miss out on the American Dream version of comfort while serving Him in this indefinite season and yet still be blessed more than I will ever comprehend.

He remains merciful by allowing me to know Him. He is gracious in calling me to follow.

So we'll continue on with a camping mindset, in His love and care, filled with the knowledge of His goodness and provision, whether meager or bountiful. Is it possible for every believer to live as called wanderers? Is it necessary? I don't know, but it's a good experiential reminder of what we're really about.

Read Hebrews 11 and Romans8:18-9:29 and spend some time in the forest, see the trees.