Ordinary Life, and how Ive come to love it

I guess its a weird place to be, single, just out of college (or out for 2 years in my case), working, and trying to figure out your role in the world. It seems that the idealism of college, and college ministry, make it an even harder place to be...assuming that while in college one was involved in such a ministry.
I saw a friend of mine who now lives in Brazil a few nights ago. He was asking me about life and how I was doing. We hadn't talked in some time and the last time we did was in an email in which I was extremely pissed about my work and life situations. I was hating my job, the ethics of it. I make commercials that attempt to cohearse (probabably spelled wrong) people into buying $42,000 automobiles. Not something that I really enjoy the thought of. (another post I suppose) But at that time also I was going to a church where I didn't feel like I fit in. I was angry all the time. I was living over an hour from where I work. Trying to live out two lives really. One with friends at the University I'd just graduated from, and another at work with people I cared little to nothing about. All that coupled with the idea of a possible escape to another more palletable culture, and a greater since of purpose, life in Brazil as a missionary, seemed to be a great idea for me....thus the email to my friend who is the missionary there. Well obviously when he heard my answer to his "How's life?" question he didn't really understand how I wasn't so angry anymore. To be honest remembering that email and where he and I had left our conversation so many months ago I didn't understand either.
I suppose my story is just that...mine...and it can't be anyone elses, no matter how much I wish to conform my friends stories to my own. Its like Aslan told Shasta when he was asking why Aslan had hurt his friend Aravis. Aslan says, "Im telling you your story, I tell no one any story but their own." And thats kind of a beautiful thing. Its actually the exact same thing Jesus told Peter on a beach a long time ago. But I digress. But again, thinking about why Im not so angry and discontent with my life these days has been good for me. I have to keep going back to the idea that I feel at home now. There's something very unsetteling about wanting to be somewhere else. And really all that desire is, is a choice. I chose to stay in Birmingham, to make it my home. Im not wondering if its better somewhere else, or if I'll be happy somewhere else. I just made up my mind to stay here, and be committed to being here. Living, working, worshipping, and praying for the peace of the city, while working toward it.

29:7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to Jehovah for it; for in the peace of the city you shall have peace.

That verse has become very close to me. I understand its in the context of the Babolonian captivity and all that but still. It's pretty fantastic. To work toward the peace of my city makes me happy. Working the old 9-5 then retreating back to the suburbs where I don't need to pray for peace (at least you wouldn't think you'd need to) doesn't sound appealing to me.

I guess this is getting long and probably doesn't make much sense to anyone but me, and thats ok. Blogs by nature are self absorbed. But to sum it all up. I don't feel that work fulfills me. Yeah I like working with the junk I work with and hope one day to do some cool stuff with it that will move people to think differently about who they are, but Im not doing that now, and Im ok with it. Im content I think with life, and work, because work affords me the opportunity to live, and to live in my city and work for its good. Also I think that purpose is larger than sharing the gospel and seeing people saved. It is that but its not just that. Working toward structual change in the culture of the city where I live is a very spiritual endevor. Working toward right ethical treatment of my neighbors, helping them get a fair shot at life. These are good things. I guess it boils down to a shift in thinking what a good life is. And I feel God's been shifting me for about two years now. Im sure He'll keep on shifting me, or at least walking beside me beating up some of my friends, and reminding me that He'll tell them their story later, but now I need to listen to mine.