Thursday, March 28


° FOR THE NEW WORLD °

     “It’s daunting,” said the high school student thinking ahead. She breathes the breath of stress and nervousness. The future is unknown and we lack the power to determine outcomes. Yes, in fact, it is daunting; the most daunting decision you’ll ever have to make as a student. After all, your course will shape the road ahead; what classes you will take, which friends you will make, and what career paths will open post-graduate. Though there is a bewildering variety of courses don’t fret because whichever you choose in the end, you will learn many things you wouldn’t have otherwise. 
     Consider your values. Before the world began Someone thought of you. It is such grace to be welcomed and be found in the aftermath. The story where another died to save the unlikely. When circumstances send pains to your temples; keeping you awake at the dead of night, there your values will show up. They will light up the navy blue plastered sheets of the sky like stars. Where have you been? And where are you going? The moon will illuminate the crevices of your pounding heart. Each thought will be sifted and you will feel peace. Surely Goodness is in control. 
     Consider your personality. It is not enough that researchers move to natural carbon seeps to study how ecosystems are faring. To understand how certain things affect organisms, they would have to observe it in the field. We zoom in on ourselves and zoom out on the entirety of humanity and we realize, with great excitement and worry, that everyone is prone to change. We live in the crystal blue; water flowing through. It fills and empties us over and over again until we become transparent. Our delicate shells can be affected by the new order of things; seeming alive with vibrant colors. But once we allow pretense and mesmerizing compromise into our coral reef structured intestines, we lose half of ourselves. So know where you stand and memorize the sound you hear because, through the noise, it will not be shaken. 
     Consider re-learning. What is the why behind your decision? You must have a certain molecule that reacts with the air that you breathe in to produce light. Picture the molecule to be your preparation that melts with your reality. Though even the near-ish future is unknown, you can find comfort in your promise that is protected by faith.
     Seek.
  When you catch yourself clutching your head to press your brain in; pre-packaged violent thoughts wandering in and out of you, remind yourself that abiding by the spring of living water will quench your thirst. Excite yourself for the things to come yet live fully in the moment for it will never come again. Wherever the waves take you, whether deep into the seafloor or just upon the shore, stand and watch. Making an impact in this sleeping generation can be lonely. But trust me, there is nothing more exciting than this. And when they see the radiance they will join along. It’s electric. We are creatures of the new world. Your course shall never define who you are or who you will become. 
     “I am scared,” you say. 
     We all are. All are afraid but we continue doing things anyway. Knees shaking and hands sweating. Don’t you realize that our hearts are a lot closer with one another when we realize that we don’t do things to create something new? We get to be part of something beyond us.

Tuesday, March 19

whose story is it?

IN THE VALLEY
caught up in the ordinariness of the world
you sit down and think about
how one day you will leave this world behind
bitterness tried to rob your joy
how dare they question your
priorities when they haven't gotten
theirs straight
but you realize that maybe
you shouldn't expect much really
it is the rotten judgment that has already
settled to see only half of the story

you never get in some sort of trouble
your life is brag-worthy
but nonetheless, you remain
quiet

THE ASCENT
a mountain is in your way
you gaze upon the cloud hanging above it
the treasure where your heart is
is higher and greater than all
you gain quiet confidence through all of this

naming the gift
even though you suffered a loss
I watched you sing your favorite song
every drop of tear was like a waterfall
but the moment it hit your lips
it glistened with gratitude
this was hard
but you did it anyways

you emerge through the seasons
through the chapters
through pages
always chasing after
what was eternal and above

cored and peeled
don't eat it yet
it is too hot

I told you it's too hot

when the time is right
when it turns golden brown
stand & watch

SOLA FIDE
this is the sound of the beginning
you could be anything — 
never superficial, the bottom line
don't forget the bottom line
you are imperishable; redeemed
by the imperishable seed that grew
salvation

there is a new order of things
as a vessel
you will rise
changed & transformed