The stress of traveling is really starting to get to me. I feel like Ive been in a car non-stop for the past three days. Ive also botched up some parts of my Maryland trip. I mis-scheduled an appointment with a Christian school today. First off, I showed up at the wrong location (the middle school rather than the high school) and then when I drove to the right location I was informed that I hadnt properly confirmed my visit and that it was actually impossible because the students were taking PSATs. It was my fault. Somehow I completely dropped the ball on this one, and I cant even remember exactly how it happened. I had the time written down in my calendar and I assumed it was confirmed, but sure enough I cant track down an email.
I also had a frustrating time this morning trying to find my nametag. I never found it and so I am now considering it lost. I feel myself slipping in the head a bit. I feel stir-crazy from sitting in a car too much, stressed out because Im not staying on top of things the way I would like, and anxious because Ive still got so much in front of before I get home.
Luckily, Ive been able to find some time to sit here in a coffee shop that is smack down by the harbor in downtown Annapolis. The doors are open, its absolutely beautiful outside, this coffee shop makes a good macchiato, and I get free wireless internet with a convenient spot to plug in. I plan to finish up here, grab a bit to eat, and enjoy the Annapolis breeze. Perhaps I will sit by the shore and read my Bible.
Im still re-working through the Pentateuch. Im about halfway through Leviticus. The history and society of Israel described in these books astounds me. Imagine living in a society where the supreme, almighty, infinite God Himself dwelled and communicated face to face with one of your leaders. Imagine the elaborate system of tribal laws and sacrificial worship that you would have participated in daily. Imagine witnessing events like the plagues, the Red Sea crossing, Sinai, and the creation of the tabernacle all within a year or two. To believe these events really happened boggles the mind. It just seems so absolutely incredible. And yet, I must admit that I do believe it.
I dont think the world has ever witnessed more incredible visual manifestations of God's power than it did during the time of Moses. While the resurrection of Christ is obviously the most significant miracle we have ever seen, the miracles of Jesus' time were on a much more simple scale than that of Moses' time. Moses' generation witnessed some crazy stuff! I mean Moses talked to God in spirit form face to face! When does that happen? It made Moses' face shine for crying out loud. Those must have been some intense conversations. And the sheer scale of the miraculous exodus from Egypt is something to ponder. Actually, I think one of the greatest evidences of the Bible's truthfulness is that the Hebrew people indeed ended up where they ended up geographically. I mean how did an entire society of slaves get out of Egypt, make it across a vast desert, invade and occupy a land swimming with enemies, and successfully set up their own theocratic government. I mean, come on! How the heck does that happen? I think the Bible tells us how it happened quite clearly, and I am prone to believe it as crazy as it sounds.
You know its really not that hard to believe in miracles. The world itself, just brimming with designed life, is a miracle. Its a no brainer to me that a wise, omnipotent God created all this through sheer intellect and will. If he can do that, making a river split in half should be a piece of cake. The miracle of creation makes the miracles in Exodus look like child's play. So I dont know why I find it all to be so incredible. I guess it just falls so far outside my own everyday observable experience to imagine what it would be like to see a mysterious force descend upon a mountain in fire and smoke and speak audibly out of the sky. What was that like? I cant comprehend it.
Well, thats my rambling for now. Im going out to enjoy this sunshine.
Posted by todd at October 18, 2006 01:52 PM