devoblog: Jordan Haymond

0Josh • 15th Nov 2005 • blog entries, devoblog

Coming home to the throne

Finding ourselves in the world is often the most compelling difficulty we have in our Christian walk. Being in but not among our friends, coworkers, and acquaintances is an enormous task. For me, often being among non-Christians makes me feel less of a Christian and more of a sinner. It’s important to remember our own good God given nature is at conflict with our flesh and that’s a natural struggle.

Hey all who read Northslope.net, My name is Jordan Haymond and I’ve been a friend of Josh and Lydia since we worked at camp dating back to 2001. I’ve lived in Portland for 22 years and in Yelm for 1, and I’m currently a senior at Portland State University getting my bachelors of Arts in History.

I can recall at a young age reading quite a bit. Having friends when I was younger was something I wasn’t all that great at, so curling up with a good book was something I’d do regularly. One of my favorite books as a child was a book called “Dangerous Journey�. It was a fantasy novella about a man who has an enormous rock tied to his back, representing his burden. In order to loose his rock; he leaves his family to embark on this journey. Somehow I find myself relating to this journey often.

I think it’s really easy for us to feel we “need� this dangerous journey in order to feel vindicated before God. This journey of penance can leave us feeling insufficient, alone, and inadequate. Especially if we take this journey without coming home to our graceful Father, to quote one of my favorite Christian authors R.P.C Hanson: “Grace means the free, unmerited, unexpected love of God, and all the benefits, delights, and comforts which flow from it. It means that while we were sinners and enemies we have been treated as sons and heirs.�

God doesn’t require a long expedition of penance from us but a heart willing to accept his ultimate sacrifice: Christ.

Romans 8:32- “He who did not spare his own Son, but give him up for us all�

Remember that God’s sacrifices and grace have always been there to keep us close to Him. Not to force us further away on our own journey away from God. To leave with a final thought: “Grace is the beauty of form under the influence of freedom�. –Johann Friedrich Von Schiller