It's simple really...

Okay, so I haven't jotted anything down in awhile...but, life is as hectic with me as it is with you to be sure. Aren't we glad that we have a God that can overcome our hectic schedules in order to reach and teach us?
So the other day I was doing some reading...I've been going through 2 Samuel for awhile now. Anyway, I finished reading and got to thinking about the life events that David went through and how, in the end he was better for each hardship. I thought, "I wish that God would have prepared me the same way He did David." And in an instant God spoke and said, "I did."
Of course, being who I am I had to take a moment and analyze what I was experiencing. I had to reflect on my life in it's totality in order to really see what God was saying...(ain't supposed to do that are we kids? What about blind faith? Sorry, I do have blind faith but I'm a curious dude...can't help it...it's my nature!) I work in a ministry that brings me into contact with young people continually. Just how did God prepare me for this? Especially since I don't feel half prepared most of the time. Well, follow me on my own time line...
I was raised without a father, my mother was abusive...not your garden variety version of abuse either...the draw blood from each beating type of abuse is what I'm talking about. I got into alcohol and drugs at a very young age, was involved with gangs, spent time in jail, faced prison time, and pretty much faced some harsh realities while growning up. I spent 21 years in the Marine Corps, mentoring and leading young men on a daily basis...here in the states, abroad and in combat. I retired, drove a truck, drove a cab, worked in a prison, went back to school, earned my BS in criminology and worked private security at a state college. WHEW!!
If you're still awake and reading you may be asking yourself just how did this prepare someone for a ministry that deals with young adults...well, it's really elementary...
The hardships I faced growing up served to make me more sympathetic and empathetic towards others that have faced hardships as youths. The military gave me discipline and a keen insight to what makes young people tick. The solitary occupations of truck driver and in most cases cab driver, helped me to connect with God on a more personal level. The stint of a corrections officer let me see the worst in people and gave me hope and a sense of urgancy that all would receive the goodness of Christ. Finally, the time I spent at college and working on campus let me rub elbows with young adults from all walks of life and helped me stay somewhat abreast of what interests them and that helps me connect better....all of that leads me to here, at my current "job" of college/young adult ministry director....fitting right?
Of course, if I had my way I would have omitted many of the hardships and would have piled on the cushy parts of life to my youth. But then I wouldn't be who I am today....God knew and knows just how to shape us...He knows what we need when we need it. Whether it's a hug from the Son or a gentle push from the Holy Spirit, God knows how to motivate us and exactly what we are gonna become long before we even begin to realize it.
So the next time you are wondering why God is taking His time to bring you to where He wants you to be remember...it's not only the final destination that makes us who we are in Christ...it's the journey. We can plan the journey but God's plan is and always will be better than ours...simple right?

Missed opportunities

I was reading in the book of Mark today when I read again about how Jesus feeds 5,000 men AND THEIR FAMILIES on the sea shore. The text that got to me was verse 6:35-37. There we see that after listening to Jesus teach multitudes of people, the disciples recognized that it was late and saw a need to send the people away so that they could get some food before the marketplaces in the nearby towns and villages closed for the evening. When they brought their concerns to Jesus, he said three words, "You feed them."
Wow! What confidence the Master had in his pupils! He didn't tell them how to do it, what parameters to stay within...how to organize the whole shindig...nope...He simply told them to feed the masses. The reply of the disciples was what prompted me to look closer at my own life and how I respond to God's instruction. The disciples questioned Jesus' words. Rather than hopping to and beginning the task...KNOWING that Jesus is RIGHT THERE if there is a problem, the disciples lost out on an opportunity for spiritual growth. "With what?" was their reply...they saw the masses, not the ONE.
We all are like that more often than not aren't we? I know that I am. I see a problem, take it to Jesus for instruction, get the instruction...then promptly QUESTION the instruction rather than trusting the instructor! Imagine how much the disciples would have grown if they had grabbed the loaves and fishes, blessed it themselves and fed all of the people! Imagine being able to move upon God's word and being able to look right in His face for affirmation and confirmation during the task...but, no...they missed it...big time. And so do we.
The Jesus we have today is the same Jesus that the disciples had some 2000 years ago. He still wants us to do so much for the kingdom...He still wants us to feed the masses...those that are hungry for God's word. Yet, when he tells us what to do(which he has done in the bible)...we still question His wisdom. Humbling isn't it? How many opportunities have we all missed out on because of doubt; because of fear...because we questioned?
I don't know about you but I am convicted. The thing about it is that there is still much to be done...and we know what to do...God's word tells us...so....you grab the fish, I got the bread...let's go to work....no questions asked.

Decisions, decisions...

Celebrated my 48th birthday the other day. Now, typically I just let the day come and go...thanking God for another year, thanking others for gifts and kind words...so on and so forth. However, this year I realized that I am rapidly approaching a milestone year...50. Yeah, I know that it's two years away and ANYTHING can happen within a two year period, but still....50. I am excited to even be saying that I am coming up to...50. If you really knew my background then you would really understand why 50 is an huge number for me. So, as I contemplated 50 I did something that I have not done in a very long time. I took stock. I sat back and thought about where I am, where God has me and where I desire to be.

At 48 I know that I don't have all of the material things that are often associated with being middle aged by the world...don't have a big fancy house, nice new shiny car, membership to an elite country club, 6 figure job and a big company/corporation...nope, I don't have any of those things. In fact some of my peers would say that I'm living well under what I should be...according to them. But, that's ok because I don't have the other things that come with the great material things. Like: a huge mortgage, car payments, stress from trying to keep up with the "Joneses", work related paranoia, a family that is crumbling because I'm too busy with work to be a husband and a dad...nah, I don't have the 48 year old "stuff"...Thank God. What I do have is a wife that loves me in spite of the dope that I usually am. What I do have are sons and grandchildren that love me and since the sons have grown older they realize that their dad has some brains in his head...they actually seek out my advice now...so all in all, I think it's a fantastic trade off...

But seriously...when I think about it, my life thus far has been a whirlwind of God events. God has placed me exactly where He wants me. Even when I was an enemy of the cross, God loved me and thought enough of me to protect me from the world and more often from myself...in order for me to get to year 48. And now...well, now I am taking stock....

God has me at a crossroads of sorts....I see the vision but am not sure how step into it. It's like being in a room with a bunch of chairs...I have to sit in one of the chairs and they are all good seats...in fact, there is no bad seat...but, there is only one right seat.

So here I am...48 and soaring...no regrets...well, maybe a few...and right where God wants me...seeking and searching for His face and His will in my life...looking to sit in the right seat...the God seat...it's a maddening time...sometimes frustrating, sometimes exhilarating, but so far it's been a great ride. I have made some mistakes...TONS of 'em...but God still has brought me to this place in time. Which seat? Which seat? What a predicament...and you know what? I wouldn't change a thing...