Hi Blank Slate readers. First, thanks again for being along. Last post I said we were/are at a new blank slate place, waiting for the next theme to present itself. A number of ideas have surfaced, but so far each has been pushed back down. So it is with the creative process: There’s rarely a shortage of ideas, but the right idea for the right time, that’s where the discernment gene comes into play. We can all be grateful for that one.
Happily, here at our Oregon retreat, the painting has been going great, as is Anne’s printmaking . . . the real reasons for our being here.
But it is Thursday, Blog Post due date (along with Mondays). So here’s a piece I recently came across in an old sketch book. It’s dated 9/10/96 and noted, “En route to Grand Forks.” I remember the moment. I had just been relieved as president of Wycliffe Bible Translators, USA, but was still serving. I was on an airplane, on my way to a speaking engagement in North Dakota. I wrote the following:
You could become a new person . . .
Another person in the same body
With half a life yet to go
(less than half in years,
but the track possibly faster,
what with experience and background).
You could subject yourself to new environments
Deeply . . . not with camera or writing pad
like in documenting or reporting on,
But living in . . . adopting . . .. becoming.
You could go back to school
This time to learn not a craft or a head start
But a life
That thinks another way
That sees another side.
You could find a mentor
Live in another culture
Read books that have never been on the list.
You could, before the Lord, determine to live like him
To give up all claims to self
Work out your own salvation with trembling and fear.
You could do it soon . . . whatever it is . . .
Because if you wait
it will be
too late.
That was it. I forgot I wrote it. But in fact, it’s been script for pretty much what’s happened. Well, the spiritual parts still flounder, God knows. But much of the rest has proceeded apace.
And there’s opportunity to do so again, starting from here.
For you too.
Life is short, but long enough to get in a number of lives.
Let me know if you agree.
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
8:07 am
Love this reminder! Everyday is a new day, a chance to learn something, do something we’ve never done. Such a gift to be able to make choices to be a better person, make changes, try something out of our comfort zone. Learn and grow, not to be stagnate. Love.
8:19 am
The word “transition” comes to mind as I read your piece this week. Open doors are not to just pass through, but to experience a change, hopefully for the better. God’s changes are always better in his time and in his way. Let us not be fearful of open door opportunities. Allan
8:33 am
Hyatt you reminded me of those immortal lines where Brutus philosophies in Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar (Act 4):
“There is a tide in the affairs of men.
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat,
And we must take the current when it serves,
Or lose our ventures.”
Is this related to what you are expressing in this post?
I love that intimate whispering from our Shepherd mentioned in Isaiah 30: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.””
We’re all wishing unique blessings on you and Anne as you reflect in Oregon!
9:04 am
Oh my! How the Lord knows I needed this blog today! He used you, Hyatt, to remind me of the courage it takes to step towards the dream of another chapter in my tomorrows. I don’t know if the path will lead right or left, but I dare to believe it will lead me deeper into the heart of God where I’ll discover more about my self and others. Thank you, my friend, for your faithfulness in thought and word.
9:49 am
I love the idea of God sculpting out carefully, lovingly, over time, our authentic selves. As he removes the not-really-us stuff that our culture and history has defined us to be, Christ in us becomes more and more. Part of this, at least for me, is a renewed “sense of Wonder” (John Donne, Van Morrison). I can even revisit places in nature I once thought I knew earlier in life, and see those places with fresh vision. You seem to be hinting at this kind of change and transformation of the heart, Hyatt. Maybe this is what Jesus was pointing to when he said, “Greater things will you do …” The changed heart. What could be greater?
9:50 am
We are looking forward to where you will take us next… Kind of like looking forward to going on a bike ride in the country with your friends. It doesn’t really matter what direction we go as long as we can see some interesting things along the way and appreciate what God’ has provided for our mutual enjoyment.Just start pedaling and we will be right behind you as you reflect on the scenery, and tell us about the things you see that we too often miss.
10:09 am
Transition, transformation, teleportation … thanks for the reminder that open doors exist even when the way is scary. I just came back from a trip that included Honduras, where I got a chance to zipline. It was so hard for me to take that step, so high up, so scary, and I reached a point where I made the choice to jump, tremblingly. This was a mirror to what God is saying to me, having the courage to cross over on a heavenly zipline to the other side so transformation can happen.
Must. Cross. Even if initially I close my eyes and jump.
Thanks, Hyatt.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and Anne.
10:53 am
Hyatt… Thank you for this beautiful reminder that we can change, grow, and become new people with new beginnings. I thank God for all of the new beginnings in my life. Grace upon grace. And I thank him for you and Anne being in my life. Happy Valentines Day!
11:13 am
So I get a first glimpse of your creative beauty when I thought I had to wait to see your canvases. Inspiring thought…”And there’s opportunity to do so again, starting from here.” Message of hope along with your authenticity that’s always encouraging. Thanks Hyatt. Thank you Louis for the Isaiah reference and Norm for the idea of His faithful sculpting.
11:17 am
Very interesting Hyatt. I call this writing . . . Ruminations from Hyatt on hiatus. It’s funny how focused you can get in the daily routine and not take time to look around at the possibilities. Transitions force you to take that inventory of your life. We once had a Springer Spaniel that was so determined and laser-focused. He would chase a bird on the beach with his nose down, running as fast as he could for what seemed like an eternity. Of course he figured that was his job. Then when he realized he couldn’t catch the bird ‘cuz of those crazy wing things, he’d stop and look around. He’d try to get his bearings as to where he was and how he got there. Inevitably, when he realized he’s lost and separated, he’d look back for his loved ones who brought him to the beach. On this Valentine’s Day, here’s to hoping you and all of your readers find joy in the chase, and appreciate their companions who faithfully follow.
6:24 pm
Outstanding, I really like this. I definitely feel as though I am standing in that doorway at present. It will be interesting to see what God has planned.
7:00 am
Thanks Hyatt!! We do need to keep moving forward. Sometimes we don’t feel like it. It’s easy to sit down and wait for something to come up. The fear, which is good, is that we won’t get up and then it’s over. A new friend has pushed me into BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) and now I can’t wait for the next Monday night class. Learning a lot. I also have a fly fishing mentor…he’s struggeling to help me catch a fish. It’s much harder than I thought. :-)
Iknow your next adventure will be interesting and provocative. I hope we can join you in it.
12:44 pm
Your words are an answer to a meditation and a prayer today. I have retired from the work world where I was fortunate to earn a good living, but I always longed to be elsewhere doing other things being into art in a way I never took the time to do. Asleep at the wheel. Now that I am free I am filled with fear, wonder, hope and excitment. I face the new life and many blank canvases! It is time! the years are fleeting. Thank you for the wonderful inspiring words.