times, they are a-changin'

I went to Chile two years ago today. It’s been two years since 13 other students and I boarded a plane in Atlanta to embark on an adventure I will never forget. Another group just went to Chile from my university, and it’s making me reflect quite a bit on my trip while trying not to be jealous of theirs. And when I really think about it, there’s no way I could be jealous because I wouldn’t change a thing in my life to this point. Not even that I was a jerk in eighth grade. Shocking, I know. But life moves, and I can either move with it or fall behind (read: slump into a debilitating depression induced by nostalgia).

Yes, life moves. It’s been two years since I’ve set foot on dear South American soil, and I can feel it. I am REALLY good at focusing my attention anywhere but the present, so walking down Ricardo Lyon to go to class in Chile almost feels more natural to me than walking down Furman Mall today to go to class at 10. But a 10 o’clock class down Furman Mall in Greenville, SC, USA is where I am. Right now. And there’s beauty in being where I am now. As much as I miss the Andes Mountains, a view of Paris Mountain is what I am supposed to have this morning (somewhere behind all the January fog). I want to remember that today.

My January 15, 2013 will be much different than my January 15, 2011, and that’s ok. My 21 year old self is not my 19 year old self and nor will my 23 year old self (Lord willing) be my 21 year old self. And my friends, that’s a very good thing. Change is good. Change is also difficult. By the transitive property of equality, difficult must be good. There’s about to be a lot of change in my life after May 4 this year. I will no longer live in a vast community of 18-22 year old, liberal arts educated individuals. I will no longer have breakfast, lunch, dinner, and coffee dates with friends every day within walking distance.

What will never change is this: God is faithful and God is present.

This is my lesson for today: Chile is past, and that’s ok. It’s even good. Because the God who holds today is the same as the God who holds yesterday’s today, and the day before that’s today, and tomorrow’s today. So my job isn’t to focus on the change, but the One who is in charge of it. Then it doesn’t look so much like change, but like a beautifully crafted story. And like all good stories, this one is crafted by the Author of Life.

My best wishes go to the Chile 2013 group. Love where you are while you’re there, and I’ll do the same.