Good Morning everybody! I am writing to you from the beautiful city of San Diego, California! Since the World Race doesn’t take off until January, I had to take this opportunity to come back here with Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru). Cru was the campus ministry I was involved in during college and they host “summer projects” all around the country and world. These summer projects equip students to do ministry, lead movements, share the gospel, experience authentic community, and many more beneficial attributes. And besides that they are so much fun! When I found out I would have time to come back and help staff the project, I couldn’t resist! So for the next month and a half all my blogs will be coming directly to you from this incredible location ; )
Anyway, after arriving and saying hi to old friends and the excitement wore off, I snuck off by myself to spend some quality time with the Lord. My heart felt strangely distant, I knew He was going to have something to say to me. As I opened up my journal and began to write, my heart flooded with repentance. Last semester I was selfish, so selfish. It was my last semester in college and I did what I wanted to do. The Lord became a secondary priority for me. His word ceased to inspire me, I sped through time with Him so I could spend time with friends, and I failed to truly disciple any of the men I intended to. I looked back at my journal entries from the beginning of the semester and they were filled with big plans to serve and to love and commitments to obey our Heavenly Father, and nearly all of them were left unfulfilled. Sadness and regret filled my heart. And I cried out to God and asked for and accepted the incredible forgiveness He offers.
That is what is so beautiful about our Savior. He has already paid it all, God is not accepting anymore offerings or sacrifices. Jesus was the ultimate. So even when we go through these seasons of struggles, God is not angry, He does not turn his face from us. He is patiently waiting for us to open our eyes and see…See the awe inspiring, beautiful face of Jesus Christ. And as I asked Him to transform my heart into a heart that loves Him, into a heart that desires Him above all else, into a heart that throws itself unreservedly and unabashedly towards Jesus, He began to speak the word Reckless. I am to be recklessly pursing Jesus. Without regard for anything around me, utterly unconcerned with anything that might pry my eyes from the Master. To run without caution, because what place is safer than in the hands of God…
My prayer reminded me of Hebrews 12:1-2, and now is my confession everyday…
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off EVERYTHING that hinders, and the sin which so easily entangles, and let us RUN with perseverance the race marked out for us. And let us FIX our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God.
