Good morning world! First, let me apologize for "falling off the map."
Second, let me assure you that I have not been thrown into a volcano or eaten by a shark. Unfortunately, I haven't even had the opportunity to see either. I have however, been bitten by an angry fish on my maiden snorkeling adventure in the Pacific Ocean!
I can't believe that we are already in week 4! It seems like I just got here yesterday, but each day I get out of bed I'm reminded that this is still just the beginning. During week one, we heard from a big Hawaiian named Ben. I walked into class on Monday morning with the mindset of "Step on my toes if it brings me closer to God, because I'm into God and I can survive without toes." Ben's message was on "The Father Heart of God." He told us that we are in a battle between two fathers; the father of lies and the father of light. We also learned that the capacity to receive all that God wants for us will require vulnerability and boldness, and the ability to give that away come from the ability to receive. At this point in the week, my toes were still intact and all was well with my soul.
As i began to process all of what Ben the Hawaiian I started to ask myself what it meant to be vulnerable and how it looked to be bold in that vulnerability. Naturally I began to wonder "Is this place safe? Are these people really safe?" I found myself in a beautiful place... Exposed and vulnerable before a mighty and sovereign God... Terrified because every shred of personal protection was down, but calm because the Father's hand is gentle. The shelter I had been working so hard to build for myself was being broken piece by piece, opening me up to the elements. In a place like this your first instinct is to keep just a shred of shelter... something to hide behind in moments of weakness... but then I am not going to receive the extent of what God has for me because I am not truly vulnerable.
I Cor 10:13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.
And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can
stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can
endure.
Ben taught us to "be legit in where you are, and God will meet you there." This meant that it is ok to say "Hey God... This is tough and I don't quite understand or agree with all of it, but if I have to have my toes broken in order to get closer to you...please stomp with all your might!" If I never walk again, at least I'll be closer to God.
So yah... That's week one... I know I told you that we're already in week 4 and so much more has happened but, with the intensity of what we're learning, it has taken me this long to process stuff from the first week. So please keep praying and checking back for more updates!
I miss you all and would love to hear from you! I also love getting mail! "Hint Hint ;)"
Jon Hatton
University of the Nations
75-5851 Kuakini Highway
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740-2199
