To Boldly Go...

On Myspace also, but just incase I don't get a chance to post a blog on here today.


I am sitting in the University Library and although I have been working on my paper, I am taking a break.

Last night at Bible study we discussed Lion Chasing and a few things stuck out to me.

One, is the whole Abraham and Isaac thing. And incidentally what I said about Abraham having Ishmael and how I have a clean unslept with BRuce (the shark) keep coming to mind. Although it sucks, Ishmael was not Isaac. Just like the clean Bruce is NOT my BAruce, the one who I take everywhere and sleep with. And Isaac was the requested sacrifice because he meant more to Abraham than anything else (except for God apparently) I am in the position of knowing what my Isaac is. (not BAruce incidentally) (whether or not its a good thing that I know what it is is a whole other issue.) But, I really have to ask myself if I am willing to give up my Isaac, if God asks it. And to be 100% honest. I don't know.

But I have been thinking about whether or not Isaac would've survived the encounter on the mountain if Abraham had not been willing to sacrifice him. That ram could've been a lion or a bear, and Isaac could've been taken from Abraham anyhow. I don't believe that God would do that, but I do know that he will remove things from us that we hold precious, if he must because of his love for us.
Do I like it? Heck no!
Do I recognize that it hurts, you bet.
Do I think that a willingness to sacrifice what is precious to us will always result in us not having to make the sacrifice? Nope.

Do I have the answers to any of my questions? Not on your life.

While doing my research, I was reading about Randy Pausch (The Last Lecture guy) and I was inspired by something that is probably an afterthought to those who knew him, but speaks to me. He was a Star Trek Fan. I LOVE Star Trek fans, we are all kind of bonded through our relative geekiness, and while studying Unitarians and Universalists for my paper, I came across the snippet that the next Star Trek film will feature Dr. Pausch in a small role. This stopped me in my tracks and is why I decided to blog in the midst of my scholarly work. I don't know why this speaks to me louder than anything else, but I understand this better than I do the rich mans list of making lots of money.

This wasn't a goal of Dr. Pausch's but it still happened...

I am not saying that I think that the experience changed his life, but I will argue that it had to be exciting for him to do.

I know that there are things in my life that, while completely unexpected, have changed the path of my life. Relationships, random occurences on the street, laziness.

Ok I just realized I am wandering, but really, does anyone get what I am trying to say?

The second thing I have been pondering is the LIST of risks/goals.
I could make a list of things I want to do in my life, but how many of them involve risk?

I only came up with a few items and most of them involved travel, sharks, or school. There are risks involved in all of those, but still fairly safe things if you think about it. I want to take HUMONGOUS risks, both for myself and for God.

I want to take on things that appear ludicrous, I want to chase down the Biggest freaking Lion I can find, and then the next biggest and so on until I die. (Preferably not of Parasites!)