It is not often that I have the opportunity to hike in Peruvian National Parks. Not too many days has my greatest worry been to keep bonfire wood dry or to filter drinking water from a glacial lake. Yet when some of my best buddies and I reached the summit of a mountain during our semester dedicated to exploring, cultural learning, and listening to God’s call in our lives, I was anxious and worried over registering for Spring’s classes. It frustrated me that this small detail that could be dealt with at any point was stealing from my worship of the Lord and my enjoyment of His creation.
What most bothered me about my distracted experience on the mountain wasn’t the fact that I was frustrated, but what exactly was frustrating me. There are so many more important issues that need so much more thought – even that have been exposed to me on the trip thus far. One of my prayer requests for this trip has been to remember and actively apply what I have learned and been convicted of when I get hit with the excitement and monotony of life either here traveling or back at home. In the last two months, we as a group have wrestled with tough thoughts and digested hard truths. We have attempted to grasp extreme poverty as we walk right by it, seen natural disasters devastate communities on the news, and talked to pregnant girls doing drugs on the streets – yet all I could think about on the top of that mountain was registration. I want so badly to be affected by my experiences to the point where I am pushed to uncomfortably ponder and ferociously pray about them. I want what I see and feel to stick with me. I frequently need to remind myself to live a life as the Apostle Paul writes about in Romans 12:15, to “rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Mundane and uninspiring moments like registering for classes are still important. Life is full of them, even on a road trip through the Americas. But during these moments, during the mountaintop moments of life, and everything in between, I want to recall the greater picture: to struggle through the hardships of life with a higher, more eternal perspective…to enjoy Him and to glorify Him forever. Happy Registration, Theodore
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“Alright, so… You’ve been on the road for almost two months. You’ve slept in a sweaty smelly car, been hosted in a beach house mansion, and eaten like kings between the home-cooked meals and street vendors. But, when it comes down to it, what is it all for? What have you actually been learning?”
The four of us occasionally discuss the main lessons that we’re learning on an individual basis during our endless car rides through the Latin America countryside. Here’s one that I can’t stop thinking about: contentment. Contentment is a funny concept. Is it a measurement of your current state of Zen? Is it a decision to have a good attitude? Is it a warm fuzzy feeling of accomplishment? The past 57 days firehosed me with nearly equal doses of joy, stress, confusion, and peace. Daily, my mind wanders back to the paradox of “livin’ the dream” on the road and yet lacking contentment (whatever that truly means). My friends back home say they’re jealous of our journey, and all I can think is how I am jealous of them experiencing senior year together at Wheaton. I find myself wishing that I could be working on something tangible like starting my career. Ironically, I know that as soon as I am sitting in an office for a full day of work in January, I will desire to be back in these Colombian coffee shops overlooking the lush, fog-covered mountains. In no way have I fully figured out how to get past this issue in my heart and mind. This is not a story of trial and triumph. This is a lesson in my own humanity. I am a selfish, broken man who often sucks at being grateful for the gifts, opportunities, and people that God has placed in my life. Don’t get me wrong, I regret nothing about going on this expedition. I look forward to experiencing the next 2+ months of life in South America. I have simply been reminded of my need to focus daily on the words of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” That is where I believe true contentment lies. So, no matter where you are today; if your driver-side window stops working so you have to wake up the person in the backseat to pay your tolls, or if you are eating your fourth piece of fresh baked bread with Nutella from the French cafe down the street in Bogota, remember to be thankful for whatever you have and wherever the Lord has placed you. - Krum |
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November 2017
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