The process

Last night Marty and I spent the evening with our marriage mentoring couple from the Meeting House.  It was a fun evening - they're very nice and fed us very well.  After dinner we sat down to talk about the first few months of marriage - and I've gotta say, this is definitely valuable.  Adjusting to being married is not easy by any stretch of the imagination.  You've got to learn to live with a new roomie - and there are WAY more emotional stakes.  That aside, when you've got other outside stressers (like school) it makes it even harder.  So, Marty and I are both really enjoying having a couple that's been married for a while present us with some good tips and opportunities to talk things out. 

One of the really interesting things we discussed last night was a spin-off idea of one of Bruxy's sermons.  It was the contrast of efficiency and relationship.  Essentially, Bruxy brought up the idea that it's easy to question why God isn't efficient - He's all powerful, so why doesn't He fix everything?  That would be efficient indeed, and the end product would be fantastic, but it wouldn't bring about what's really on God's heart - a relationship with us.  So, God often is willing to "sacrifice" efficiency for relationships.  It's very interesting topic to ponder about and it really made my think about it. 

When I was doing a lot of theatre theory, especially postmodern theory, I often discussed the idea of the process being the art.  Sometimes the end product, the play or piece, isn't the most interesting part.  The process of how the piece was conceived, collaborated on and refined tells a truer tale.  That's the process.  I really truly believe that for me the process is what's important.  Last night, I got to thinking about how this idea of process can be translated into interpersonal relationships, and also with my relationship with God. 

It's easy to get discouraged when the end product that you've been working towards doesn't come out just right.  Perhaps by focusing on how far you've come from point A to point B is what's needs to be taken into consideration.  Those are the actions that are deliberate and most often done in communion.  If I know I'm good at a task and that I can do it efficiently doesn't mean I have to do it all the time if it's at the expense of not involving others.  A guitarist may be totally able to carry on a tune, but it shouldn't come at the expense of the drummer wanting to keep up with him.   

I'm really going to chew on this one for a while - I think it will really help me understand why it is I have to continue to pursue my faith in Christ.  It may be rough and hard at times, but I still keep plugging on.  Although God could make all the answers and pathways clear, He doesn't because this allows me to find Him, to ask Him for help and to move forward in communion with Him.  I'm pursuing the loving, righteous relationship He's always had in mind for us. 

Very cool.