wealth, weddings and waste

I lived in Orange County---the richest county in the richest state in the richest country in the world---for four years as a university student. It is a place (1) that God has blessed with great wealth and convenience and (2) where many people have replaced God with said money and convenience. In my own experience living and visiting here it's been a mixture of both. But thankfully I've known many people who recognize #1 and do their best to be vigilant over #2.

Nevertheless, this summer (my third summer in California since starting my Czech odyssey) I've noticed and and been shocked (not so much disillusioned, just shocked) by this great wealth and convenience that America and especially Orange County enjoys widely. I suspect one reason for this heightened sensitivity is that this is the first summer when I've gone directly to Orange County rather than starting in Auburn (which is still a wealthy and conveient place if not quite as ostentatiously or as widely ostentatiously)---so I haven't had a little "buffer" between the Czech and the O.C. (Michael: "Please don't call it that.") that I've had before.

Part of this sensitivity probably has to do with the two beautiful weddings that I've attended since returning stateside. Please understand that I don't wish to criticize these weddings (except to say that I dislike fruit filling in wedding cakes)---weddings are supposed to be big celebrations and to be invited in any capacity is an honor and a joy. Nevertheless, these beautiful weddings were both more than a little bit more than I've bcome used to in the Czech.

And part of it probably has to do with living in Prague this past year. After two years in Sokolov, I came to see Prague for the international, cosmopolitan hub that it is, where foreigners are common, English is widely spoken, and trams are frequent. And then to return here where even the convenience of Prague pales in comparison---wow.

And, lastly, there is waste. Lights and computers left on. Long, long showers. Suburban society built on a decades-old given that everybody has a car. Growing up in a time and place where electricity and gas are abundant and cheap. No or at least inconvenient recycling (although---kudos to Costa Mesa for paying for its own sorting). Huge portions of food, much of which goes into the trash. I'm not pointing fingers---I'm part of this system and enjoy the comforts derived from it---but right now I notice.

I need to figure out something to do with what I notice. What do we do with three years' worth of lessons of adopting a different lifestyle? How do we hold on to what God has taught us?

- Joel