Chasing Daylight

Flying Westward you follow the sunshine as it races it’s way across the sky. Lucky enough to have a window seat you experience the beauty of God’s imagination in the colors spread across the sky. Traveling into the setting sun you arrive at your destination only a short time after you’ve left, depending on your layovers. It’s during these times when you experience an extended daytime and you have plenty more time to think about things and try to figure out your life and where it’s going. Westward at the moment would be the answer. More than just the physical direction instead, trying to figure out what your life is becoming.

Purpose in life is always the big question, what am I going to do with my life? What will I be when I grow up? Who will I marry? Where will I live? Which job should I take? What’s the next step? These questions run through our minds daily. I heard a pastor speak recently who emphasized more of the being than the doing. God is more interested in us becoming who He wants us to be, not doing something for Him.

After reading that last sentence don’t misunderstand that we should sit around waiting for God to make us who He wants us to be, and do nothing for Him.

For the past four and a half years I’ve been doing God’s work. I’ve been telling children and young people around the world about His love and His hope for their lives. I’ve traveled to different countries, lived in different places and tried to endure different foods. During this time, I’ve seen changes in my life and changes in my perspectives. It wasn’t about the work; it’s been about the shaping of my heart and the destruction of my own selfish motives and desires in life. It’s been about the teaching moments when God moves and whispers into my heart.

What is our purpose in life? What are we here for? Two parts that I think are very important.

I believe our first purpose, is to glorify God.

Personally, I want my time, resources, actions and words to glorify Him. I think we all do. I think we all want God to be glorified with what He has given us. I want Him to look on me with a smile, to be proud of me and who I am. I want people to see my life and see His hands at work in me.

The second thing is to point other people to Him. As much as I will be very happy to go to heaven and be with Christ, I know that I can accomplish much more for Him here on this earth than I can in the life after. Once Christ comes and returns for His church our work will be done. I don’t want to stand in front of Him and be upset that I could have done more. I keep my mind focused on the eternal, remembering that things in this world will fade and be destroyed. I want to live having no regrets about what else I could have given. There is no wealth, possession or achievement in this world that attracts me and I want to live knowing that I will never pursue these things. I will never pursue the American Dream, for that is all it is; a dream that will never be obtained or achieved.

My next trip will take me to the country of Rwanda. Marking the 12-year date of the genocide that took place, Book of Hope will be working alongside other ministries to help bring “100 days of Hope”. www.hoperwanda.org We have the opportunity to provide the Book of Hope to over 2 million children.

Please pray for me as I lead an intern team into this beautiful, yet hurting nation. I greatly depend on your prayers and support to continue this work. Please pray for wisdom, joy and protection over our team.

This is for Jeremy

Jeremy got mad that I hadn't updated for a while, so this is for my fellow team-mate and mentor. Here's their website: http://westwithjesus.blogspot.com