It's an Oregon sort of weekend.
The other northwest state. (Well, then there's Idaho, I guess, too.)
I'm at a stranger's house (friend of my adventure buddy this weekend) right now in a suburb of Portland, enjoying the clouds burn off on a sleepy morning. David Crowder band is singing praise to the Savior in my earbuds. The sunlight slowly illuminates new corners of the sweeping valley. What a beautiful morning to worship the Good King.
Ten years ago, Oregon was a fitting temple, also. Daily solitude at Cannon Beach, sweet, challenging fellowship at Credo, and my first backpacking adventure at Mt. Hood all directed my attention back to a Father who loves His children.
A few family reunions on the coast have helped me understand my personal history, too. The reasons behind our actions. My "purpose verse" in Psalm 40:10 was the fruit of a tearful, genuine time of worship on a sand dune in Gearhart after my world turned upside down with a game-changing internship.
Later, the great state of Oregon hosted Jeannie and I for two roadtrip adventures. Grateful for those special times with my sister. She's grateful, too, that we never were murdered in a hostel...
A year ago, I was convincing myself that true love required surfing. Inspired by Sasha's encouragement ("You're Laura Rarig, you can do freakin' ANYTHING) I tried to surf. Turns out, I am buoyant in a wetsuit, so I probably won't drown, but I am definitely too competitive to overcome my lack of coordination. Also, I re-learned the lesson that love requires deep sacrifice.
It's the state where Megan & I organized our only climbing trip. The state where Craig & Nicole have a happy, newlywed house. The state where I finished National Boards last month. The state where I had to wrestle through deep heartache on a World Changers mission trip, always running into Karl when we skipped the same group events. The state where Shannon and I just gave up and stayed at hotels on our friendship-restoring roadtrip to the Redwoods.
All that to say, I'm grateful to spend this 3-day in Oregon. Looking forward with expectation to His mysteries to be revealed in this place. Already, this morning holds 3 more hours of roadtrip.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
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Ephesians 5
Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – and find out what pleases the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:
“Awake, O sleeper!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you!”
Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
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