Catholic Steps

Sucua at night brings me great peace. There are vendors on the side of the cobblestone street selling chicken and fries and corn on the cob with cheese. You will find many people roaming the tight corners, small restaurants and under the trees on top sidewalks.Tonight the sky is dim and black. The lights turn up the night for most people here. Near my home, in fact right around the corner there is a bar. It does not surprise me anymore to clearly hear the music blast at two in the morning. The nights are where it´s at. These people like to party. Energy is bound up in the heart of these people. Everything is loud and energetic. I think I can find rhythm in this atmosphere but it is probably with the others I love...people watchers. Benches are filled with men in fedoras talking to other men with deep wrinkles and sun spots. They greet most who pass by and for a gringo a good stop and stare is in order. I appreciate the slow pace of life here alongside the great energy. My favourite spot here is in the park or at the steps of the catholic church. There I sit in the cool of the shade. Wonder, deep thought, theology, music and prayer accompany me in this haven. I walk there from my home two blocks away. November and December are the hottest months here in Sucua. So walking is (always) pleasant but (seimpre) very warm.

Just a few days ago I found myself there sitting by myself. This last month or so I have read more of the prophets in contrast to the New Testament. I found that the "greatest love story ever written" is in fact the bible. I sat there speaking aloud about the many things that God has done in times past. He brought about a people and loved them with an everlasting love. They were perfect and walked with Him throughout His presence and talked with Him as their friend. He then watched them fall and become something unnatural in keeping with His love. Then you keep reading and find that there were a good handful or so who found favor with God. One being Jacob, later known as Israel. Israel became a nation in fulfilling God´s plan. His chosen people, His love. He reached out to them and helped them along. He brought them from captivity and gave them a light load to carry- However they could not bear this burden. They turned away from Him and prostituted themselves, making them a shameful nation seeking other gods.

The end is what most people hear. God came here in the form of man and gave himself so that all men might come to know God. But what really stuck me was how wrong my thinking was. This was not a story out of His hand. But this was God´s good pleasure. He holds all things, makes the wise frustrated fools and the foolish carry the wisdom of the prophets. I thanked God in tears and in love that this story was a love letter to me. I thanked my Father with a peaceful heart that I was never alone and He has never left me. In our faults and our downfalls we realize then more than ever our need for His presence in our life, His love and His life! There is nothing that has happened that He has not had control over and there is nothing that will happen in which He has not seen. That gives me peace when I lay down my head at night.

Tonight I walked down the cobblestone streets and avoided the cars and sounds that plague my meditation. I am in Sucua, Ecuador. Love the nights here. Love my Father in heaven. Praise God for a heartbeat so close to mine. Thank God that my past, present and future are no surprise to God. Because He has seen it all. And when I think this is the end or that I have fallen too many times, He is there. And in these times I know that I am loved, remembered and going places. He has it all in His hands. And this gives me peace.

The above words and scenes may be more like the jungle gym at McDonald's. They are always colouful, but also disorganized and dirty. However they somehow unlock a profound amount of thinking and meditating on God´s word. He is better than life. And sure supported a good smile when I tasted and saw how much better than life. No greater love.

And this is a good night in Sucua.