australian arrangements

I flew to Sydney today. I was thrilled to fly over the city, complete with Sydney Harbor Bridge, the Sydney Opera House, and the amazing waterways as we descended into the airport. I have arrived at a backpackers I’d rather not be at, but will only stay here tonight, a better place tomorrow, and head out of town for the rest of the week.

After I checked in, I spent a few hours running through the Royal Botanical Gardens. I listened to the "mine, mine, mine" birds (from Finding Nemo) and I ran along the water with an impressive view of the Sydney Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. I find it a bit incredulous to stand here; in a place I never intended to actually visit. While it is very easy to take advantage of my post-Ice opportunities, I was reminded to embrace the special moments; like the beautiful views, the people, and the places I will yet see. Since my run, it started raining, keeping me indoors for awhile.

Tomorrow is the 75 birthday of the Bridge. I hope to get a chance to walk across the expanse with some 300,000 other people. I am also intending to meet Tom from The Ice in the evening. I have a car reserved for Monday afternoon and hope to see some of the mountains, ocean, and if I am an audacious driver, perhaps even a bit of the real "outback." Next Sunday, I'll be States-bound (but only as far as Hawaii).

I’m grateful to be here. I certainly give credit for God’s providence in finding me here. I just finished C.S. Lewis’ Surprised by Joy which gave me some insight into traveling in regards to the journey I’m on (not only in the Southern Hemisphere, but more directly related to the road of life I am on). I draw from the following paragraph that life is a joy (or joy in progress). All of it; the pain and the happiness, dull and acute, because I am on the road to see Christ:

"But what, in conclusion, of Joy?...
It was valuable only as a pointer to something other and outer…When we are lost in the woods the sight of a signpost is a great matter. He who first sees it cries, ‘Look!’ The whole party gathers round and stares. But, when we have found the road and are passing signposts every few miles, we shall not stop and stare. They will encourage us and we shall be grateful to the authority that set them up. But we shall not stop and stare, or not much; not on this road, though their pillars are of silver and their lettering of gold. ‘We would be at Jerusalem.’ Not, of course, that I don’t often catch myself stopping to stare at roadside objects of less importance.”