Back to High School

Our SGA Executive meeting today felt like something out of a bad high school melodrama. And I don't really feel that it accomplished everything for which it was purposed. Bashing behind others backs, childish obstinance...I left feeling very frustrated.

But did I say anything during the meeting?

No.
I didn't.
Why didn't I?
Because I'm just as bad as everyone else.

I fall under the other polar opposite; when stuff happens, I know what I need to say, but instead, I become very wishy-washy and do anything I can to avoid confrontation.

As Christians, we are called to keep one another accountable; at the same time, we are also called to encourage. I guess what I'm saying is that there is a tactful way to do everything. And failing to act isn't a proper response either.

Again, I really believe that our meeting, though it did remind us of our responsiblity of accountability, did little more than increase the chasm amidst members of our group, both on personal and group-oriented levels. And now I feel the need to rectify the situation, but I am at a complete loss concerning the pathway. Theoretically, I need to simply talk to each one of them individually; and while I am a Developer and Restorative (thank you StrengthsQuest...), as I earlier mentioned, confrontation is not one of my strong suits. Hence my high Harmony rating. [Gah, ever since NSLC, I've been thinking in terms of StrengthsQuest traits. Forgive me.]

So, I find myself at a Pauline, Romans 7 crux. Am I going to do the good that I know to do?

I hope so.

A Beginning...

The ocean captivates me.

I spent the past week with the executive council of our SGA at Point Loma Naz in San Diego, meeting with student leaders from all the other Nazarene universities. We did some amazing things while we were down there, from batting around ideas to baseball games to a harbor cruise. We even started the first Nazarene rave (I guess I don't really have proof that it was the first one- it just sounds good). Yet nothing topped the mere sight of the ocean.

I'm not quite sure what it is that draws me so deeply that I'm oblivious to everything else. Perhaps it's the soft, rhythmic song played by the waves as they strike upon the shore. Perhaps it's the utter vastness of blue ocean meeting blue sky, an expanse stretching out towards infinitude. Perhaps it's the tritely yet helplessly romantic idea of long walks on the beach beneath the pale moonlight, gazing tenderly at one's beloved. All of these portray scenes of a beautiful, heartwarming love story.

I need God back in that love story.