Yesterday morning a bunch of us took a bus to the Lake District, specifically Lake Keswick.  By bus, Lake Keswick is an hour long rollercoaster ride from Carlisle. It had its effects on some but fortunately no bags were needed. When we arrived we walked to the Tourist information center which was surrounded by a weekend market. Looking at the map of the lake we decided to take the trail that went around the entire lake, an eight mile adventure. The map said that it usually takes between five and six hours to complete but after fifteen minutes of being on the trail and witnessing how many stops we were making to take pictures I got a little nervous that we would not make our bus departure. After a brief discussion that we would focus on completing the trail and spend less time documenting our adventure we started picking up the pace. About an hour into the hike Willem and I were looking across the lake, focusing on a mountain that we could see little human like silhouttes at the top. Both agreeing that we wanted to be amongstthose silhouttes and realizing that not everyone would want to join us we seperated from the group. Looking back I regret leaving the group and I would have done things differently if I could go back. Unfortunately that is not possible and we hiked as if our masculinity rested on the the achievement of getting to the top of the mountain. (Or what those from Canada would call a hill) Standing at the beginning of where the ascent became extremely steep Willem and I both looked down. Willem in Converse All-Stars and Me in I-paths, we both acknowledged
our choice of footwear was not going to benefit us during this portion of the hike…..Only slipping a few times, we made it to the top and were amazed at the views surrounding us. I never would have guessed England could be as pretty as what I was viewing. Our descent was a slightly different story than what climbing up the mountain was like. It was during this time that our kicks began to hinder our abilities to make it safely down the slopes. By the time we made it down we were both covered in mud as a result of losing our footing, swinging our bodies in hope of keeping our balance and then trying to preserve as much dignity as we had left, picking ourselves up from the grass and mud. A very humbling but funny experience.  We met up with our companions at the bus station just minutes before the bus left, so all in all it was a great day trip.
  That trip marked the conclusion of the week of lectures focusing on relationships. I entered the week with a somewhat poor attitude. My fears were that the entire week would consist of the girls trying to figure guys out or what a healthy relationship looks like and what the boundaries are within relationships. Fortunately for me and my ignorant perspectives I was far off the mark.  This last week has been incredibly interesting, I have  learned a lot looking at the relationship God desires to have with us and relating that to how I should interact with others. Founding the opportunity for us to have a personal relationship with God is through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Throughout my life I have understood
why Jesus died on the cross and the significance of what was accomplished on a very superficial level.  This week has opened my eyes to a more in depth understanding of this monumental event. Jesus Christ’s death on the cross has given us the opportunity to live without shame.
  As I look back in my life God has blessed me with a very steady life in the sense that I have not experienced traumatically negative life changing events. I do not say this to lift myself up but to acknowledge that I can not comprehend an enduring sense of shame. But from some stories the lecturer shared about friends, I begin to see the binding power shame can have on someone. God does not desire us to walk through life with shame, he sent his son so that we could have a relationship with Him.  Living in shame prevents us from having the desirable relationship that he wants with us. “…you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11).
From what I understand shame is so hard to deal with because to remove the shame it usually requires the interaction with another individual. This is where I believe we as Christians struggle, so many people have a burden that they feel cannot be shared for fear of the condemnation they might receive from the person they open up to. I need to constantly remind myself that Jesus Christ did not come to condemn the world but to save the world John 3:17. Although I am completely aware I have no capability of saving the world, I do strive to practice a portion of this verse. Living without an attitude of judgment seems like a great concept upstairs but living it out is an enormously challenging task. This task is an area in my life that I desire to strive for. I desire to live a life of love and although I know that I will fail many times in my life I will continue to persevere because my ability to love is only in proportion to my understanding of love. As I continue to grow in my relationship with God I know that my understanding of his love will for me will continue to grow, making me
more capable of loving others in a more significant way.