Since my teaching semester ended two weeks ago, my schedule has been freed up considerably. To be honest, I don’t like it when I have a lot of free time. I prefer having a normal schedule to stick by, so it was another adjustment period for myself. I’ve been trying to fill up my time purposefully and I wanted to share with you where my time has been going.
Family and Friends
I’ve been using this free time to spend with my family and others that I haven’t been able to see for a while. Spending time with my family has been a priority, especially since it was difficult with an abnormal working schedule. It’s been nice being able to talk to Jen over dinner and not having to rush over to work afterwards. It’s been nice not having to worry about lesson planning for a full day of classes. I’m grateful for the job that I have here because it offers so many opportunities to work with others, and to be a witness and an encouragement to the brothers and sisters around me.
I’ve also been using this time to meet with old friends. It been fun catching up and seeing old faces. Whether its over a meal or in playing ball, it’s been good and reminds me of the opportunities to pass off seeds. One of my friends that I met with is “Allen Iverson.” It’s funny to think that we’ve known each other for 10 years now. I still remember him as being a black hole on the court, but he told me that his game has changed. And it did. He passes more, but mainly because he plays in his slippers. It’s weird, but it helps him to avoid playing recklessly and doing more damage to his knees.
Playing with AI. Played a little one on one. This is probably after he made one of his shots, thus the smile on his face.
It was hard to find pictures of us playing ball without my big belly flaring from under my shirt.
It was sobering talking to and catching up with him. It led to an opportunity to present what makes me live and I’m hoping that our 10 year friendship will only add more weight to what I shared. He still has the book that Henry gave him about 9 years ago, but it’s still in the shrink wrap. I know that he values it because it’s placed with al ofl the other things he values in his home.
Language Study
I’ve also been able to utilize some of the free time to studying the mother tongue here. I’ve always looked at my language study as being unique and unusual since I’ve attempted to study this language about 4 times in my life. So there’s a boatload of information in my mind, but now its a matter of organizing, accesssing, and utilizing this language. It’s frustrating at times because I can’t start at the normal spot for beginners, but I would sink if I’m placed with the intermediates. So I’m trying to study the language at my own pace, starting with the things that I’m interested in. Hopefully, this will jump start my brain to access and utilize the information that’s already in my mind.
Self-Reflection
In addition to the meet ups, family time, and language study, I’ve also been using this time to reflect and prepare for the work after the summer season passes. There’s definitely been a lot of lessons learned over the past year and this will be one of those memorable experiences that a lot of wisdom can be gleaned from.
I’ve been reading a lot more since my semester ended and finished reading Jerry Bridges’ memoir, God Took Me By The Hand. It focuses on how G sovereignly led Bridges’ life from his childhood years into adulthood. It was refreshing, easy to read, and G-exalting. But the one thing that I remembered is Bridges’ understanding of what the phrase “in Christ” meant.
Gradually it dawned on me that to be “in Christ” meant to be so spiritually united to HIm that His life and power could naturally flow into and through me.
This serves as a clear reminder of how united I must be in Christ. There is no gray area considering this issue. If I am to be a follower of Christ, then I must be in Christ all my days.
In addition to this, I’ve been reflecting on the fruit of the Holy Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23. In doing a study, I remembered that a Spirit-filled life is evidenced not by just one or a few of these qualities, but rather by all of them. Sometimes I like to think that if I have at least 3-4 of these qualities then I’m good. But I’m reminded how much I must be grieving the Spirit by not seeking a Spirit-filled life that would exhibit all of His magnificent and gracious qualities to those around me.
Whether it is finding a way to thrive out here or back at home, these two lessons play an important role in drawing me closer to Him.
Conclusion
Even though my free time will come to a brief pause in the next couple of days, I’m looking forward to the uptick in activity. But more importantly, I’m looking forward to an opportunity to connect and reconnect with people and to continue to be that aroma of Christ to whoever I meet.