in my journal

I journal. Have, on and off, for years. Most of what I write is too mundane to be noteworthy; or too private to be shared. Where there are periods of time with only one-sentence prayers ... or with nothing at all ... those are likely times in which I was just trying to survive either too much busy-ness, or, frankly, pain that hadn't yet found words.

Today, the sun is shining outside my patio door. Today finds me excited about the future, and it begins with a leisurely coffee, interacting with scripture and with my God.

If you're interested ... here's what I wrote today ... unedited ... starting with the scripture segment that jumped out at me. It's from the ancient prophet Isaiah, looking forward to a time that has not yet come.

"Neither animal nor human will hurt or kill on my holy mountain. The whole earth will be brimming with knowing God-Alive, a living knowledge of God, ocean-deep, ocean-wide." 

When I imagine this - it is peaceful and safe, yes. But not at all boring. Not even serene. It is filled with adventure and life and excitement; my energy doesn't have to be used to fight evil, prevent pain. Rather, I can live - "live all the days of my life," as I heard (one of my heroes) say once.

"Brimming" is a word with action, so close to tipping, spilling over, flooding. It has anticipation in it, excitement.

"Knowing God-alive" - how could that be anything but amazing and living?

"Ocean-deep, ocean-wide" - the exploration would never stop. The adventure, the learning, the discovery would be unending.

My God, there is nothing I love more than an adventure. Plunging into something new, swimming around in there, discovering its nuances and complexities. To do this without the weariness of the world we are in - wow. Smiling in anticipation.

Happy Monday to you.