Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Certain events and images seem to make my heart come alive. It doesn't seem to last long, but in those times, I am filled with inexplicable longing, fulfillment, and exquisite pain. In those moments, it feels as if I am breathing for the first time and my heart is beating like it never has. Watching Voyage of the Dawn Treader was just such an event. The images in it are so beautiful. Beauty more than anything is a powerful catalyst to longing. So longing was awakened as I saw the rolling water and the picturesque islands.

Beauty in this movie awakened my heart and adventure made it threaten to beat out of my chest. These are what we are made for to taste and see the goodness of the Lord in beauty and to experience the wildness of Him in adventure. And then third component of what makes us up: Aslan's country. Oh to be with Him, to paddle our way through the treacherous waters of His kingdom and to find ourselves walking hand-in-hand with the One who gives us life in His lands. As I watched I was filled with a homesickness that I still haven't shaken. How can you be homesick for a land you have never seen? I envy Reepicheep. I too long to lay down my sword and venture into His territory.

"I remain confident of this:
   I will see the goodness of the LORD
   in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD;
   be strong and take heart
   and wait for the LORD."

Seasons

Life moves in seasons. My life moves in seasons. Often these seasons match my journals. I have had seasons that were plain and simple, a little color sprinkled in. I have had seasons that seemed leathery, hard, easily stained, yet valuable and so beautiful. I have had seasons that were small, black, lonely. I have had seasons were maps and planes prevail, and others where a simple green tree sprouts on the cover. I love that my journals match my seasons.

I agree with Chris Rice "Everyday is a journal page, every man holds a quill and ink, there's plenty of room for writing in, all that we do, believe and think."

As the final pages approach, my heart is filled with conflicting emotions: sadness for a friend long visited is saying his goodbyes and eager expectation for what is next. Prayer always precedes the purchase of a new journal. I ask Him where He is taking me next, and He responds. So, Lord, what's next? will it be the hand-painted cover? the one that looks like an Indian sari? The one with geometric shapes in vibrant colors?

While I don't know the specifics yet, I do know that this next season involves me writing. So here is me writing, for no one in particular. This is simply the season for it.