Life

I used to say that I am here in Vietnam for 2 years. I think at least initially, I had to say that. I had to have something tangible to wrap my mind around. As big of a change as an international move creates-I think our finite minds need something sound to hold on to. I have noticed within the past few weeks, that I have stopped thinking in terms of a timeline. I have stopped thinking "I will be here for 2 years." My train of thought has become much more simplistic- "This is my life."

I have finally started to feel settled, finally started to feel like I have found my place here. I don't feel as much of an outsider or stranger. My life is here now...and who can ever predict (but the Lord) what kind of timeline that comes along with.

A lot has happened since I last blogged! Along with settling in has come the grind that comes with the end of the honeymoon phase. I knew that it was just a matter of time till the novelty of a new place wore off-but you know, I am glad that the time has come...because I feel more a part of life here and now-rather than a visitor.

I have continued to learn more and more by the day. Time and time again, I am confronted with my very Western mentality that is based off of entitlement and rights. Day in and day out...I am learning about putting into practice what I studied at the theoretical level during University. Day in and day out...I am learning how much harder it is to put said practices to use rather than theoretically writing about them. I think one of my major lessons could be summed up like this - Jesus' power was not founded on his assertion of rights.

You see, I believe in Jesus. And to the best of my broken ability (and thats a very nice way of saying it) I try to model my life after the person of Jesus Christ. I think regardless of what you believe about him-it can still be acknowledged that he lived a pretty radical life. He lived in such a countercultural way-in a world that almost always paints things out to be black and white, good or bad, right or wrong...he showed us how to live in a third way...in a way that our human minds don't immediately resort to.

I believe that Jesus came to earth and showed us how to use the precious life that we have been given- to the best of its potential. I believe that Jesus came down to earth to show us the intrinsic power of a human life if we are willing to fully commit to our original design and purpose. Tangent! Ok, sorry...sorry...reigning it back in...I have been confronted time and time again while here with the lesson learnt from Jesus' life...that I am trying to unlearn from Western culture...that there is power when we deny the lies of entitlement- these are the same lies create privilege and oppression, the lies that create an "us" and "them", the lies that stratify, the lies that create disparity, the lies that ascribe unequal value and worth among humankind.

Power is not found in rights or entitlement...power is found in love.

I am learning that lesson in a new way right now. I am trying to become a person of love. It is a feeble and failed attempt...but I believe each morning is a new opportunity...and I try to wake up...seeing it as that...

Grace and peace and the third way,

Kait

PS: Sorry if this post is a jumbled mess of thoughts...streams of conciousness-hope you can decipher it :)