Learning is a constant in my life. I am always learning. But this summer has been a while new experience for me. If we go back a few months, I'm working at starbucks, fighting with everything I have to not get "sucked" back into the everyday drag of life, to not loose my focus on who I am in Christ, what my mission is, what my purpose is. This was my struggle for months. Every morning I would wake up and get ready for work, arming myself against the day that was coming. Preparing for battle with my flesh, and finding ways to make work different every day, to make it fun. This was all good, but I forgot a few things. I forgot that I was sent here to love the world as well. Part of my preparation should have been praying for God to show me how to love people, my co-workers, my boss. the customers. I think we as christians over emphasize the fact that we are at war and always need to be on guard, and forget that we also weapons of life being used by God to bring His life into people and His kingdom all around us. We will be called to do some crazy things that the world wont understand, they can't understand.
I found this out in my life. On top of the struggles, I was also dealing with a past relationship, hurts, pain, bitterness and self pity. It was an everyday struggle to get up, and keep moving. But each day God gave me the strength, day by day, moment by moment. After a few months of this, I began to see that through all of it, God was working in me, changing my desires, bringing healing and restoration that I needed so much. But also He put the desire into my heart to go. I wasn't sure where, but I knew I needed to go. I wish I could say that I instantly started praying about it, but I didn't. Instead, in my pride, I tried to figure out on my own where God wanted me. God is so awesome, because even in our stupidity, He still loves us and gives us good things.
The person that God put in my life to show me where I was supposed to go was my sister Beka. It had been a long time since we had hung out, and she was back from her traveling for couple weeks, and so we had a chance to talk and get caught up on what was happening in our lives, what Jesus was doing, and how we have been changed and how we are changing. I don't have time to tell you everything she said, but the one phrase that stuck in my head was this. "I am the biggest stumbling to doing what I know God wants me to do." I repeat that phrase all the time to myself. How many times do we want to do something for God that we know He wants us to do, but when if comes right down to it, we are to attached to ourselves and things. After we talked I spent some time alone in prayer out on our garage roof, and surrendered to God my life and time. Right away I knew what He wanted me to do. Quite your job and go work with the guy's at NEFC. So I did. I put in my two weeks and then hit the road for Maine.
This summer has been the craziest hardest amazing season of my life, but it's been the most rewarding. I can't wait to see where else Jesus leads. I've come to know Jesus more, and continue to. I've been able to make an impact on the lives of young men that will last into eternity for the praise of Christ, because of Christ. The best times in my life have been the most confusing and hardest times, because in them, Jesus is closest to me. Embrace the hard times and challenges, and look for Jesus, because He is looking for you.
Thank you all for your prayers, I couldn't do this without your encouragement.
Mike
God is most glorified, when we are most satisfied with Him.
p.s. I've been accepted by the World Race, and I leave in July 2012!!!!!
