Many
times in our lives we’re faced with the all-important decision of “What’s
next?” What will the next chapter of your life look like? Who will you be by
your side? Where will you live? What will you do? How will you survive?
All
valid questions that inquiring minds will want to know as you stand at a
crossroads of your life, which is certain to happen many times, daily in fact.
The thing I’ve been wrestling with lately is with all these questions looming,
will I chose to let fear or joy reside with me as I’m in this process of decision-making?
Too
often in my life, I’ve let fear reside and as a result it’s left me paralyzed
and saying “I’m praying about it” never making a decision at all. Leaving me
with a feeling of regret. Has this ever happened to you?
The
last year and a half for me has been anything but normal. I’ve traveled to
almost 20 different countries, doing and seeing incredible things I never would
of imagined. I came home in November of 2010 and only had four weeks at home,
before it was time to leave again. I found myself on the next leg of my journey
that has brought me to Mijas, Spain attending a leadership academy called G42.
Being
here at G42, has helped me grow in instrumental ways, it’s helped me grow more
into the man I know I’m destined to be. It’s helped me grow in integrity,
honor, character, and it’s helped me to know whom God really is and not whom
I’ve made Him out to be. I feel I’ve learned so much here, that has brought new
freedom to my faith, and its something everyone needs to hear, Christian or
not. So I’m coming home to do just that, to share, to pour into others, to
serve, to bring hope, inspiration and joy.
I
graduate here in 5 days time, which coincidentally is also my 30th
birthday. When I was in my early twenties I never would of imagined myself in
this position, coming home after just turned 30, no job (yet), little money, no
possessions, no car, and no clear “next step”. Yet, I can confidently say I’ve
never felt freer and more alive than I do right now. To trust God completely
with my life and its direction is an incredible thing. Is it scary? Does it go against cultural
norms? Is it where God wants me right now? Yes.
I’m
thankful I’ve had the support of my friends and family during this journey. Not
too many people would encourage a 28year old to leave his well paying job, to
sell his car/possessions, and embark on a journey into the unknown. Ever since
I was young, my family has always stood by me and supported me no matter how
“crazy” my direction might have seemed.
I
say all this to inform you but also to encourage you. As you yourself might me
standing at a crossroads of your life, looking at making certain decisions that
will set you on a path of the unknown. Fear does not bring you life, it
cripples. Let me say right now it’s OK to fail; failure is not a bad thing
unless you allow it to be.
allow joy and excitement to reside with you as you look at your options, or
anyone approaches you and asks, “What’s next?”
You
have a God that loves you completely and always, who is for you not against
you, who desires to see you alive and full of life. Do not sit and pray forever
about the will of God and then do nothing, GO FORWARD. You are the will of God, the number
one reason you were created was to be loved by Him. (think about that for a
while, before you dismiss it).
