Short post, I just had some thoughts that I wanted to share.
I went on a hike with a dear friend of mine today. We've known each other since the 6th grade and have remained friends through all kinds of phases and stages that our lives have wandered through. Even without the good company, deep conversation, and beautiful Oregon, that in itself is pretty dang cool.
I love hiking, I love being outside [as long as no flying beasts show themselves...the little devils.] I love seeing how nature changes and yet still somehow remains comfortingly constant. I've hiked the trail we were on before, and it was wonderful to have my memory jogged as we turned corners and went up hills and saw things that were familiar to me, but still not quite the same as they once were. A newly fallen tree, different flowers and colors, the way the water changed course to acclimate to the new additions to its current. All so very pretty and wild.
Something that popped up in our conversation was that neither of us really saw the draw in staying the same people we once were. Our high school selves, for instance. I wouldn't want someone I knew in high school to talk to me and tell me I hadn't changed - I would want them to see my heart and how it's grown and learned and loved. Not the scared 16 year old I once was. I would want them to see the me I am now - the reflection of the God I love so dearly, the impact different experiences have had on my world view and on my messy heart.
I thought the irony of these desires being reflected in the surrounding nature was worth a mention. If I hiked the same trail over and over and nothing ever changed, I would be concerned. For there to be life, there must be change. Otherwise there is no room for new life, for growth or development. If plants never died, if trees never fell, the soil would be depleted of its nutrients. Much the same way a stagnant life leads to mediocrity.
I suppose there is something to be said for the dangers of too much change as well - too much change creates instability and doesn't allow for roots to grow. I happen to like change so this right here is my danger zone.
I suppose that a balance of times of change and times of growth, like in the wilderness of our great world, is what really allows growth and maturity. It seems to me that no matter how we try to make things happen in our own power, you can't have good growth without change, and you can't have good changes without growth.
Thanks for reading =)
