Silent Velcro and San Diego

Were it up to me, I'd live in San Diego and have already retired after inventing "silent velcro" (a fictious invention, made pop-culturally famous in the movie Garden State -- which, I coincidentally enjoyed greatly; mostly because of the "I've been in that mindset" moments more than the self-absorbed ones depicted in the film. since you asked) Some say that a person would get bored if they were obscenely rich. Nothing is exciting anymore, or something like that. Um, I'm creative... I could find a way. I'd enjoy a house on a hill with an ocean view, which is possible in SD (they wouldn't understand "lowcountry"). I don't like sand enough to live on it, but I like looking at the ocean. Yeah... I'd drive a massive 4mpg truck, eat nothing but steaks, watch the food network on Tivo, listen to music reeeeally loudly and look at the ocean. Not all at the same time (dang, that'd be sweet though!) but that would be primarily what I'd do with my time. I doubt your life would look like that if it were up to you, but I'm sure you have a few opinions already.

I met a guy about 9 and a half years ago that doesn't think that mine is such a good idea.

He actually doesn't think that many of us should decide where we will live. Apparently, he has a better understanding of how life tends to work than we do. I remember him saying something about me trusting that being his close friend would be enough... that I don't really need to be concerned with where I live or what my circumstances are. So far, he kinda sounds like a mob boss, I think.

I think our planning and scheming usually doesn't produce much of anything that's worthwhile. Whatever good we stumble upon was placed before us graciously, a long time ago.

The best experiences of my life revolve around obedience to something I wouldn't have chosen for myself. Re-read that, please. The things that I plan out and execute are decent, I guess... lackluster at best.

I'm finding that it depends less and less on the specifics of the decisions we make. A car, jeans, CDs, a spouse, a meal, a house, cereal, a book. When our main goal in a decision is seizing an opportunity to obey... I think we're onto something. Dying to oneself sounds like a miserable option, without a benevolent Overseer. His greatness is proclaimed to anyone watching us when we decide like that. When we ask "Are you in this decision? Can I see your leading? Is this something that will bring me closer or push me further from you?", we begin to think the mind of Christ.

I struggle to claim that "His blessings" will follow you when you go somewhere undesirable. For one, he's not a "cosmic slot-machine" when we push the D4 button the box of providential Junior Mints falls from that big, spinning spiral. What I mean is that you can sleep after making seemingly strange decisions when He is behind them. Doubt may surely haunt you, but that's from the pit. When he HAS to come through or your plans crumble.... you're golden.