Let the Journey Begin!
Life verses. Many Christian believers have life verses that define or shape who they are in Christ. Mine is a simple two word command. It's found in Matthew 9:9:
As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
Follow me. Two simple yet very powerful words that can and do change lives. I know because it changed mine. As my wife and I prepare for our trip to Africa I wanted to share some earlier journal notes that I have. The following is one of my first journal entries. I wrote this on February 8, 2009. This will give you a glimpse of my hearts cry and give you an idea of why I am doing what I am doing.
I can't tell you how totally awesome God is. Today at church the worship literally had me weeping uncontrollably. I know that now I must go overseas somewhere. Africa, Cambodia, the Philippines wherever and see where I can be useful in Gods kingdom. Is it in coffee? Or maybe it's helping free child slaves. Or maybe it's just to help in an orphanage and adopt an HIV child. Whatever the need I am ready now God. Use me as you will, show me and direct my path. I am yours. I will follow you.
Dangerous words you say. Well I say they are words of commitment. Those words provide the cornerstone of my existence now. I can't sit just being content anymore. I know many people have a desire to do something worthwhile in this life, but I seek so much more. I seek to reach people with the Gospel. I seek to show Christ in my actions and my words. I seek to bring people hope and not just a hand out. I seek Jesus! Ahh, what a lovely name. The name I heard of many times in my youth while going to mass but not really knowing him. But God knows me. Where I played as a child a sign hung on a parking lot that read,
"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 6:23.
That sign hung there for "Me" for 20 years until I moved out. I didn't get to see the sign anymore but God imprinted in my heart his call. Thank you God for that wooden sign.
Now God has given me another sign. Only now it has no words, only faces. The faces of the oppressed, the sad and the hopeless. Children stuck in brutal conditions working to payoff a debt they will never achieve. I also see smiling faces. Faces that have hope of a better future. Faces not looking for hand outs but to be shown a better way. Faces of Freedom smiling because they know that there really is a God and maybe I can help them see him. Faces of peace because they know now that they are out of the bondage of the brothel owners. Faces or worship. Of people who REALLY understand what God's grace is all about. Yes the sign is there and I see it regularly. I see faces of friends I haven't seen in years who are doing what I want to and are willing to let me follow them. I see new faces that God has brought to light and they are a breath of fresh air. I see young faces with hope and dreams and crazy little personalities and know that God wants me to love them. So call the words dangerous, but I and my family welcome those words with open arms!
Follow me.
So there you have it. Alyssa and I are set to go to Africa and you get to be a part of the journey. Come along with us as we Follow Him!
God Rulz!
As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
Follow me. Two simple yet very powerful words that can and do change lives. I know because it changed mine. As my wife and I prepare for our trip to Africa I wanted to share some earlier journal notes that I have. The following is one of my first journal entries. I wrote this on February 8, 2009. This will give you a glimpse of my hearts cry and give you an idea of why I am doing what I am doing.
I can't tell you how totally awesome God is. Today at church the worship literally had me weeping uncontrollably. I know that now I must go overseas somewhere. Africa, Cambodia, the Philippines wherever and see where I can be useful in Gods kingdom. Is it in coffee? Or maybe it's helping free child slaves. Or maybe it's just to help in an orphanage and adopt an HIV child. Whatever the need I am ready now God. Use me as you will, show me and direct my path. I am yours. I will follow you.
Dangerous words you say. Well I say they are words of commitment. Those words provide the cornerstone of my existence now. I can't sit just being content anymore. I know many people have a desire to do something worthwhile in this life, but I seek so much more. I seek to reach people with the Gospel. I seek to show Christ in my actions and my words. I seek to bring people hope and not just a hand out. I seek Jesus! Ahh, what a lovely name. The name I heard of many times in my youth while going to mass but not really knowing him. But God knows me. Where I played as a child a sign hung on a parking lot that read,
"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 6:23.
That sign hung there for "Me" for 20 years until I moved out. I didn't get to see the sign anymore but God imprinted in my heart his call. Thank you God for that wooden sign.
Now God has given me another sign. Only now it has no words, only faces. The faces of the oppressed, the sad and the hopeless. Children stuck in brutal conditions working to payoff a debt they will never achieve. I also see smiling faces. Faces that have hope of a better future. Faces not looking for hand outs but to be shown a better way. Faces of Freedom smiling because they know that there really is a God and maybe I can help them see him. Faces of peace because they know now that they are out of the bondage of the brothel owners. Faces or worship. Of people who REALLY understand what God's grace is all about. Yes the sign is there and I see it regularly. I see faces of friends I haven't seen in years who are doing what I want to and are willing to let me follow them. I see new faces that God has brought to light and they are a breath of fresh air. I see young faces with hope and dreams and crazy little personalities and know that God wants me to love them. So call the words dangerous, but I and my family welcome those words with open arms!
Follow me.
So there you have it. Alyssa and I are set to go to Africa and you get to be a part of the journey. Come along with us as we Follow Him!
God Rulz!
Proverbs 19:17
ReplyDelete