Closing a Chapter

by Rollie J.

We splashed through muddy pools of rainwater, bumping our way down the wet gravel road. The narrow one-lane dirt road was hemmed in on both sides by tall, lush, green undergrowth and soon crossed a murky stream, that we slowly and carefully drove through to the other side. The humble CRV seemed to be handling itself quite well. The road soon steepened as we worked our way up the mountainside on gravel and bedrock. Gorgeous blue skies hovered overhead and warmed my right arm hanging out the window. We soon crossed another streambed and followed the rough road upward until caution and restraint caused us to park the vehicle due to the steepness and rough conditions. 

I was here for a 10-day vacation to Guadalajara Mexico, to visit my wife’s family. My driver and guide for the day was Guy Edgar, husband to Ady’s youngest sister Veronica. He is my brother-in-law, compadre, and adventure soul mate. Guy and I have become truest of friends and confidants over these many years and we were here on my favorite part of any Mexican vacation; our annual treasure hunt for rare colored obsidian. Each time I visit Guadalajara, Guy takes a day off from his work, and we bugger off for a day filled with adventure, laughter, movie quotes, heartfelt talking, exploration, and outlandish manly banter. And maybe even a street grilled chicken and beer… or two. These little walkabouts restore my soul and give me life and vitality.

Guy is a bloody English chap with a thick proper British accent. Our conversations are filled with “bollocks, brilliant, it’s a bit dodgy, right, well played, cheers mate, rubbish, fortnight, I’m knackered, got to go to the loo, fancy a cup of tea, chinwag, quid, and poppycock.” His sense of humor is through the roof, and he laughs easily at all of my foolish jr. high humor. A highly successful businessman, speaks four languages, is a loving father, and has a deep sense of spirituality and faith in God. To say that I love and respect Guy is an understatement.

I normally come with a destination in mind that I’ve researched via research papers, on locations of various historic obsidian sources and what unique colors or types of obsidian may be found there. The world-famous town of Tequila (where all true Tequila comes from) lies on the northern flank of the massive Tequila Volcano. Surrounding the volcano for miles in each direction are some of the largest obsidian deposits in the world. Guy has always shown incredible patience and tolerance for me and my obsidian obsession as he drives and wanders the landscapes right along with me.

And on this beautiful day under a blazing hot Mexican sun, we once again shared a phenomenal day of adventure, profuse amounts of laughter, sunburn, heartfelt sharing of life, marriage, family, and work. And as a bonus and blessing, we found copious amounts of unique blue/gray and rainbow obsidian. I could have filled a boxcar full of fabulous rock if only time and practicality would allow. But alas, my two small suitcases would only allow for one bucket full.

And so as we ended the afternoon by bobbing and bumping back down the muddy and rocky backroad, I was filled with deep gratitude, contentment, and satisfaction. I smiled inside and out.

Mixed with all of this positivity was a big chunk of melancholy. This would be our last Obsidian Obsession journey together. We were now closing a beautiful chapter of our lives. Massive changes were soon coming certainly for Guy, and possibly me as well.

Three days prior Guy had turned in his two-week notice at work. Their house had sold the week before our arrival, and his car, he sold the day I arrived. In three weeks Guy will be moving his family to Orlando, Florida. They will rent a home there for a month. Guy doesn’t have a job lined up as of yet. And if things don’t pan out in Florida, the family will move to England as they are all dual citizens. I will most likely never experience Guadalajara the same again. This chapter of life has closed.

I am so proud of Guy, Vera, and their three beautiful daughters; Denise, Natasha, and Alexa. They are literally living and walking by faith. More than most of us. They are giving up the security, familiarity, and clarity of the known, for the insecurity and uncertainty of the unknown. A huge step most of us never make by choice because we prefer the familiarity of what we know even though that familiarity may be filled with negativity, stress, mediocrity, or boredom.

We all want things laid out, guaranteed, lined up, assured, certain, safe, proven, insured, homogenized, pasteurized, and sterilized. And yet they have none of these. Our faith life and walk with God are filled with risk. Risk is always scary and uncertain. Risk always comes with adventure. Yet, almost always, risk and adventure bring new life, new insights, and new growth.

I have always loved and resonated with this beautiful little quote:

Go now with God.
Be not tempted to stay in the safety of known places.
Move from where you are, to where God points.
Go now with God;
be not tempted to go only in your time,
when it suits, when it is sure, for now, is God’s time.
Go now with God; choose not to go alone.
Go in the faith that there is not wilderness so vast,
that God is not already there to show you the way.

Guy and his family are definitely living out these words. Not just in theory or thought, but by action and movement. Not all of us are called to change, movement, or risk. These usually come in seasons.  But at times throughout our faith life, we will all be asked to “Go now with God” because the Holy Spirit has signaled it. When the Holy Spirit calls, we have to exercise our faith and trust muscles. Muscles grow through use and exercise.

So, my dear friend Guy, I am grieving now the end of an era. This beautiful chapter has now come to a close. I am deeply grateful for all that you have given and shared with me. And yet as this chapter comes to a close, I know that new horizons and wonderful experiences await you and your family as you follow God’s leading to a new life in a new land. Go now with God, move from where you are to where God points. And may the rest of us all learn from your courage, faith, and obedience. May God bless you and yours as you close this chapter and live into another. 

-- Rollie J.

For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

The righteous will live by faith.” Galatians 3:11

Faith never knows where it is being led, but knows and loves the One who is leading.
Oswald Chambers

If I am going to experience a greater measure of God’s power in my life, it will usually begin by acting in faith—trusting God enough to take a step of obedience. Simply acknowledging information about his power is not enough. I have to get my feet wet( and step out of the boat.)
John Ortberg

Craving clarity, we attempt to eliminate the risk of trusting God. Fear of the unknown path stretching ahead of us destroys childlike trust in the Father’s active goodness and unrestricted love. Our trust does not always bring final clarity on this earth. It does not still the chaos or dull the pain or provide a crutch. When all else is unclear, the heart of trust says, as Jesus did on the cross, “into your hands I commit my spirit”. The way of trust is a movement into obscurity, into the undefined, into ambiguity, not into some predetermined, clearly delineated plan for the future. The next step discloses itself only out of a discernment of God acting in the desert of the present moment. The reality of naked trust is the life of a pilgrim who leaves what is nailed down, obvious, and secure and walks into the unknown without any rational explanation to justify the decision or guarantee the future. Why?  Because God has signaled the movement and offered it his presence and his promise.
Brennan Manning, Ruthless Trust