Headed for Zion

This last weekend I took a trip to Zion National park with my friend Josh. I first met him when I moved to Bend, Oregon 4 years ago and since then we have kept in touch off and on. This trip was a spontaneous one. We haven't talked more than 5 or 6 times in the last 3 years so I knew it would be interesting to spend 4 straight days together. One of my favorite things about Josh is that he is different than most of my other friends. He considers himself to be agnostic and has led a very different life than me and my fellow Adventists. This creates wonderful discussions about life, God, origin, love, relationships, and standards. We challenge each other and it causes us to think and re-evaluate our beliefs.

One thing I gained from this trip was a more defined set of beliefs. It's not often that you get challenged to defend yourself when you hang out with people that believe the same things you do. When someone is pushing you from the opposite direction it causes you to run around in your head and pick up all the pieces that you thought you knew and try to fit them together to form a clear picture. Some of those pieces, you throw out, but others you pick up, dust off and remember how valuable they are to you. I loved the challenge of hanging out with Josh but by day 3 I started to miss my Christian friends. Not because they are comfortable and don't challenge me but because they understand and strive for the same things I do. We have the same struggles and enjoy the same victories. We have the same purpose in life.

This just helps me understand culture and group loyalty a lot better. People like to congregate with others that believe the same way they do. It's tough to be challenged and have your beliefs questioned. But I think it's a good thing. It keeps you sharp and keeps you thinking. Even though Josh doesn't consider himself to be a Christian, this weekend he helped me strengthen my faith and solidify the reasons I walk with God.

His Heart in My Hands part 2

What have I done? Another man's heart sits broken in my hands. I don't know how to fix it or what to do next. Was I being selfish? Was this necessary? God, you are the only one I have to lean on now. Please hold me. My heart is broken too. The only thing that connects us now is the pain. I feel so lost and confused...but I trust you.