THE BAJA MIL

The weekend before Thanksgiving, the Baja Mil (Mil means 1000 in Spanish) began in Ensenada and ended two days later in La Paz.  A 1000 mile journey through the Baja desert, motorcycles, off-road trucks, and revamped buggies traverse the harsh terrain.  They have 45 hours to make it to the finish line.  It is a race dedicated to aggression and the addiction to speed.  It is competition and danger at its most intense.  We knew a family who competed this year.  A father and his two sons combined their efforts to enter the race.  So we saw first-hand the financial investment, the time commitment, and the family tension it provoked.  But as the Mastercard commercial so aptly captions these types of experiences:  Priceless.

MENDING THE SOUL

As the Baja Mil unfolded, I had the opportunity to attend a seminar called Mending the Soul.  The focus was on understanding and healing abuse.  It was a Biblically grounded and psychologically informed workshop on how to minister to survivors of abuse.  As I listened to the Leadership Team share first-hand stories of how they had each survived physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, I was amazed again at the grace of God and the endurance of the human spirit.  I was struck by their courage and transparency as they were willing to share their pain and healing so that others might begin their journey towards healing.  It made me think of the expression “A journey of 1000 miles must begin with a single step.”  As I listened and learned, I too began to take steps.  Towards my own healing and towards the ability to walk beside others in their healing—all possible because of God’s grace and goodness.

GOD'S MYSTERY

At the same time as these two events were happening, the Annual Meetings of the Baptist Convention with whom we partner also took place.  It was a busy weekend!  Their theme this year, their 20th anniversary, was to plant churches in every town along the 1000 mile stretch of the Baja peninsula.  As they discussed this huge vision, they also became aware that it would be difficult due to a very major obstacle:  at the moment, they lack unity.  There has been brokenness among the churches of La Paz over the last year.  Harsh words have been shared.  Decisions made that have broken trust.  And these men and women had the wisdom to realize that starting churches can’t happen until they reconcile with one another.  Reconciliation did not happen at these meetings, but the seed has been planted.  Yet, what always amazes me, is that despite the messiness of partnering with human beings, God still gets things done!  God continues to flow through our messes to bring redemption.  We are all sinners saved by grace being sanctified.  This is the mystery of faith.  This is the mystery of God's love.

As we enter into the Advent Season, may you too be touched by adventure, by healing, and by the mystery of a God who loves us and partners with us despite the odds.  Amen!