all systems go

i'm drinking coffee out of a mug i glazed myself. it's large, about half the size of a dodgeball. its disproportionately large compared to the tiny handle on the side. i splattered paint all over it and included some Santa Fe flair on the handle, and ran some arrows going from the bottom rim all the way up the side and into the hollow innards. but what's most important is what i penned right beside some planets and the moon: set the world on fire.

i made this mug about a year ago, on the heels of an amazing weekend with my brother, rich. he came to visit in DC and we did all sorts of DCist things. but most importantly we sat in my apartment with my friends and did nothing. (and by nothing i mean we broke out the 96 count Crayola crayons and coloring books, and maybe some xbox Geometry Wars.)

we did nothing. until the inflatable AU Abroad globe caught on fire. it brushed against a candle and that's all she wrote. flames raged, smoke billowed in the air and hit the 8 ft ceilings faster than you can say Mississippi.
there's now a spot in the carpet where the drama went down; it's all black and charred, forever marking that auspicious occasion.

set the world on fire.

Now to Him who is able to strengthen you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but now has been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations,
according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith--
to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

authority- Greek "exousia"- (n): the ability or strength with which one is endued, and the right to exercise that power
command- Greek "epitagé"- (n): an injunction, the authoritativeness of a command

Paul really brings it in Romans 16.26. kind of brings me to my knees. why this authority? why this command? why are these related? i struggle with authority. i don't like obeying it, and i don't like exhibiting it. it's not natural for me. authority of the law? pish posh. i like jwalking and speeding and illegally downloading too much; authority's just holding me back. i'm an accommodater, an avoider. why should i confront, collaborate, compete, or call out when i can sit back and let life take its course?

i'm learning that sometimes i'm that piece of life that directs that course, ultimately directed and breathed into existence like a breath on a snowy winter day by a God of mystery, of strength, beauty, glory and truth.
i'm learning sometimes i can't run from authority, because it is a command.
i'm learning that i'm not exempt-- not by my busy schedule, and not by my very nature. the nature that screams of everything within me to run and scream in the opposite direction, help! somebody with vision, humility, and undying fortitude, come quickly! people need you here! 
somewhere along the line, God raised me up.

somewhere between the time i came to AU, the times my freshman self called my mom homesick at 3am and the times i would go on solo hikes and climb trees just to get away from people and "city noise"... somewhere between that time and now, God's been working.
so for now, all i can do is listen to Painting Pictures of Egypt and praise a God that's directed me into places i never woulda gone on my own, had my back not been turned.



set the world on fire.