Land of My Sojourn

It's fall. Makes me think of leaves falling, and dark mornings and getting cold. I also think of Rich Mullins, and how Autumn came early the year he died. So i had a great idea for a blog post. Pick my favorite Rich Mullins song and write based upon that and that will also be about things that counteract the dreariness of this season. The song is "Land Of My Sojourn" off the "A Liturgy, A Legacy And A Ragamuffin Band" album. It talks about how much he loves this earth and the story God has written here at the same time longing for heaven and all it's majesty. Here's the chorus:

Nobody tells you when you get born here

How much you'll come to love it

And how you'll never belong here

So I call you my country

And I'll be lonely for my home

And I wish that I could take you there with me

So here's a few things where I see God's unmistakable activity here in this Land of My Sojourn.

Great Smoky Mountain National Park is a place that Liesl and I have visited many times since moving here to Tennessee. It doesn't have the biggest mountains or the best views or deepest canyons. It's beauty is in it's subtlety. It's beautiful rolling hills and changing colors, no matter what the season, and abundant, visible life. It's also so accessible for us, and I so much want to experience and partake of it frequently.

The Color Green (stealing another song title) I love green. It means life and abundance and vitality to me. To see the leaves start to grow on trees, to see grass available to play soccer on, growth all around. It makes me feel alive and vibrant. Like this big world is all growing and thriving. maybe that's why I don't like Autumn very much, it means the death of all that green. Hopefully I can remember that that death always brings new life.

I often discuss with my wife why I like sports so much and maybe this is a longer discussion than I can pose here, but I've gotta say something about how awesome sports are. Between the redemption of a winning touchdown when someone fumbled early in the game to being part of something larger than myself and something people of totally opposite religious, political and financial stances can come together and cheer and celebrate and also agonize together in a way like no other... What an amazing experience.

When I hear stories about military service I marvel and feel slightly jealous of the brotherhood that is gained by these men. After going through sometimes traumatic event together and realizing they were a team and each person had something to contribute. What a great picture. Something I long to exist in my life.

I am so glad to know that this is not a complete list or even a complete experience of any of these examples. I do hope for more of these here on earth and know just a little that they will be fully available in heaven.