It has been a long time my friends but rest assured I am still alive and well and back in America. In case you are still just oh so pumped to read my blog even though the race has come and gone let me share with you just a little about what has been going down in the past month since I've been home. stick it out, its a good story, I promise.
It has been a wile ride. Many people I know are preparing to adjust to the overseas mission field and I am sitting here adjusting to this weird culture known as American. I am still getting used to high prices, sit down toilets, English everywhere, and driving a car. The most important thing is something that God showed me this year on the other side of the world. There of course were many things to be learned but one in particular has driven me mad with a fire to see change. It took God taking me all around the world for me to find a reawakening for my love of the church. I just love church. That is why I went to Bible college in the first place.
As I was praying the classic prayer of what's next, God hit me like a force over the course of a couple months that made me remember my love and when I began thinking of ways to come back to it all I could hear him screaming gently into my ear was "Dream bigger Brandon, dream bigger." Over and over again I heard, "Dream bigger" until I couldn't take it anymore. Then one day, during my last week in the field we were talking about purpose and my friend asked us all to pray for 5 minutes, just asking God about what purpose he may have for our lives. I took the time and prayed. In a matter of 5 minutes He flooded me with two words that set in motion the movement for my entire future. "Awaken" and "Edify."
Immediately I knew that that was my role. There is an awakening that is happening in the American church and a true growth taking place where people are stepping into their identities, out of their fears, and up to the inheritance that God has for them as royal sons and daughters in the Kingdom. And I HAVE to be a part of that. Since then, the journey has been slow and though the vision is great, the road map is certainly unclear. My steps are small and full of risk and mystery. But I am still walking them.
I have come to realize something very important. There is only one thing that I can do right now to get to the place where God needs me to be. I need a Rabbi. I need a teacher, a master. Someone, not just another elder of the church but someone who is walking the same journey I am on and is willing to take me with him to sit at the feet of Jesus. Shortly, I need intimacy with my Father. Opportunities will open for me when the time is right to step into the church and influence this sleeping giant to wake up and step into its inheritance. But for now, all I need is Jesus.
So now, I am applying to School of Eagles in Bellingham, Washington. It is a 3 month discipleship training school that will give me opportunities to serve but also and maybe more importantly, be mentored by men of the same vision. That is as far as I have gotten but God will guide my next steps.
P.S. For all you curious readers out there who may have been stalking me a little too much, I am indeed dating one Lilli Walker, fellow Y-squader and team leader. Thank you Jesus for a woman with such a big, fat heart and just the most beautiful face in the world.
The Man With Unclean Lips,
Brandon Barnum
