Land of the Living

"I believe I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." ~ Psalm 27

I have been hinting about exciting news for a few days now and this second Sunday of Lent seems like a perfect time to announce it. The transfiguration is a meaningful story for me. Today we see Jesus with Peter and the other disciples on the mountaintop. Jesus is praying and he is transformed, his clothes sparkling brightly like moist snow on the trees against a blue sky. I love those glory days of winter when the snow shines like diamonds in the air. I imagine Christ was even more dazzling in that moment. What a sight that must have been to behold!

Events can change us and the outcome of this news I suspect will transfigure me too. I have decided to return to university for a fourth year of conflict resolution studies as I may have already mentioned. The news though is that my first two courses are related to South Africa. The first is a reading course; the second is a field course that will have me travel from Capetown to Johannesburg via Soweto and Pretoria, tracing the horrors of Apartheid and the good that has come out of it. Yes, there has been goodness in the land that I will bear witness to. We will travel to institutes that have gone on to heal the people affected by the atrocities.

I made the decision somewhat quickly, though with good discernment. The desire to return to school had been there for a few months but suddenly all the signs seemed to say, go this way, and go now. I had already booked a winter vacation so the timing was not great but the calling on my heart was strong and so I leaped into the decision. Now I trust that all will be as it should. Like the disciples, I do not understand everything even when I see the goodness and know that it is my Beloved calling to me, but I am standing on unshakeable ground.

The mountaintop experience awaits me. I know, much like Abram, that when God makes a promise, it will be better than we can even begin to imagine. All I must be is faithful. I know I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Peace,

Suzanne