"One love, one blood, one life / You got to do what you should..."

"To fly": leave the ground, lift off, rise up, be lifted, fly apart, expand, burst, rush, hurry, flutter, soar, wing, escape, take flight, lauch ---

There are times, especially in the spring in Colorado when the snow is still white on the peaks and the air is cool and bright, that I drive around in my car like I'm about to lift off the ground. Give me the right song, and the tires will just lift up off the pavement and carry me up into the air. Wednesday, I got to go to U2's "Vertigo" concert with several friends. I had been looking forward to it so much because Tuesday afternoon was my deadline to turn in a draft of my thesis, which I did. So the weight peeled off me, and Kelli and I drove down to the Pepsi center, singing along with their new album and talking about God.

U2's music never fails to make me want to live the most intense, devoted, extraordinary, committed, firey, ferocious, brave, spirit-filled, bold, empassioned, creative, visionary life I possibly can. It's like a drug that way, at least for me. Something about the way their melodies lift off and soar, the lines that hint at the Kingdom and the pain and the beauty of life.

The concert Wedenesday was a spiritual experience, there's no other way to put it. Sitting at Fado's, the Irish pub in LoDo afterwards, Mandy, Kelli and I were talking about the fact that as Christians, we feel we understand the band and the lyrics and their heart in a way that non-believers must not. We were talking about the idea that, for believers, sometimes the Holy Spirit within us recognizes the Holy Spirit within others, and our experience of U2's music is that of recognizing the Spirit's voice.

As we were talking, a slightly-tipsy guy in a green hat stumbled past our table and we started chatting about the concert and how much he'd enjoyed it. Out of nowhere, he suddenly said, "well, as a Christian, it was a really spiritual experience for me... it's like my church." We just threw our hands up in the air and gaped, and then started laughing. Spirit calling unto spirit... even in the pub.

Kelli and I got home at 3 a.m. on Wednesday (Thursday a.m.), and I was scheduled to talk with the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Lithuania Christian College at 9:30 a.m. My impression was just that it would be an informal chat, so I could get more information about the position, and if they'd be interested in me, and whether the college teaching position or the English institute position would be best. The woman I talked with was very encouraging and excited about the skills and exprience I might bring to LCC. Then she gave me the description of the position they want to offer me. 2 sections of academic writing, with a media analysis focus, and 1 section of North American literature, plus I'd oversee a small Freshman seminar/orientation for 12 incoming students. She offered me the job right there on the phone.

If I had to design a position description that would incorporate all the skills and learning, my interests and background, and what I really care about, I don't think I could invent a position as perfectly suited for me as this one! My literature love is for American lit; my desire in composition teaching is to teach students to think critically and Christian-ly about culture.

How can I possibly say no to this? Especially when I haven't heard back from Westminster CC after my interview last Friday. I'd have heard this week if they'd want me for a second interview. My phone has not rung.

I was so excited when I got off the phone (not to mention still a little buzzed from our cider-consumption Wednesday night), I practically sped all the way to school, U2's lyrics buzzing in my brain - "Lay down, lay it down/ lay your sweet lovely on the ground/ Lay your love on the track/ we're gonna break the monster's back/ Lay down your treasure, lay it down now brother /... as you enter this life, I pray you depart/ with a wrinkled face, and a brand new heart."

Whatever treasure I have to lay down to go and do something like this - to move to Lithuania, to sell my car, pack my books, be a pauper - isn't it worth it? Isn't our goal in life to depart "with a wrinkled face and a brand new heart"?

(I know this blog is getting ridiculously long, but I'm trying to convey the state of my spirit these last couple of days... hang in there).

Thursday night, I didn't have anything going on, and I still had $50 of birthday money sitting in a jar on my desk. And I had access to Ebay. I bid on another ticket to U2's Thursday night show - a single ticket, by myself in the upper level. I got it - a ticket worth $100 for $51! My friend Mandy who I'd gone with on Wednesday was going again too - this time, she had floor tickets, and ended up in the dead center, a row back from the stage!

Once again, just as on Wed night, U2 ended with a song from their early years, "40" which is based on Psalm 40:

I waited patiently for the Lord
He inclined and heard my cry
He lift me up out of the pit
Out of the miry clay

I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song

How long to sing this song
How long to sing this song
How long, how long, how long
How long to sing this song

He set my feet upon a rock
And made my footsteps firm
Many will see, many will see and hear

I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song


As the audience kept singing and singing the final chorus, the lights got low, and the band members left the stage one by one, until all that was left was one bright beam from a lantern projecting straight up into the dome at the center of the stage. We all kept singing until the house lights came on, and then everyone exploded in cheers.

Those in the audience who have never been to a worship service may not know what worship really is, but they know what it feels like. And that is what it feels like - crying out to God, joy, voices shouting out together, harmony, beauty.

I saw a bald eagle turning the sky over me as I drove home from Denver yesterday morning ("I'm getting ready to leave the ground..."), and felt like my heart was flying somewhere up around the blue peaks along with it. I'm drenched in the words and the songs of life, the songs that make you want to throw out everything worthless, material, shallow, meaningless and extraneous in your life and pare it down to one precious pearl, in perfect condition, that you hold onto with everything in your power.

Ah, Bono, what have you done to me? We have One life to burn up for the glory of God and the good of the world. I know that now. "I'm wide awake. I'm not sleeping."