Well, November seems like a lifetime ago, but I remember few times in my life feeling as content as I do right now. Life has not been perfect, but I have experienced a level of freedom that brings me back to my childhood, and specifically fear over the stories I heard in church as a child about Jesus asking people to drop what they were doing and follow him, immediately. I always thought that was absurd. Why did Jesus ask people to leave their families, belongings and everything they cherished about the communities they lived in to go on a big camping trip with a dirty bearded man? Why did they go?
What I never considered was this; what if it was really fun? What if the people Jesus called actually gained far more than they lost? What if Jesus didn’t intend for all of us to settle into the suburbs with groups of other like-minded people? I’m no theologian, but maybe this Jesus feller was just one of the first decently documented hippies who combined his ability to walk on water, create wine in a snap and feed all of his buddies with a magic basket of food with a life of camping and having relationships with dirty sinners. The longer we live in our beloved Airstream, the more I see that it might not have been that bad to be asked to quit your job and leave your stuff behind to go on the adventure of a lifetime with good ole’ Jesus.
Through the time spent in mobile dwellings since our lovely flood in November, I have learned quite a bit. The lesson I feel is most important to share is this; the more of a castle you build for yourself in this life, the more fear of losing it you are doomed to live with. By questioning the American dream, it is possible to find yourself in a position of power as a result of decreased fear of losing earthly possessions. I know it’s not quite been 6 months, but I truly believe that there is great strength in not being scared to leave all that is socially expected of you and by changing your goals as they relate to nesting in this temporarily and finite life.
I don’t have it all figured out, but I think I may be onto something here. Quit stressing about the perfect house, neighborhood and clothing. Make those things lower priorities and instead focus on experiencing life, meeting new people and trying to give everyone a fair chance before judging them based on their belongings.
