The Lord has a funny way of getting my attention. I’ve noticed that He likes to take me miles away of where I’m at to get me to focus. I guess that’s how I ended up on the race. The funny thing about this is that I came on the race thinking that I’m change the world and I’m going to show everybody the love of Jesus. These things are happening, but what I didn’t know is that He had some personal plans for me also. I didn’t know He was going to bring some things up in my own life like, past wounds, old scars, and bad habits. I thought I had my life all figured out (completely wrong) and I had a pretty good idea of who I was and who God was. HaHaha, He has completely changed that thought. This month the Lord has been teaching me three things: 1) to COMPLETELY TRUST HIM; 2) what it means to LOOSE MY LIFE; 3) to LOVE MY NEIGHBOR AS I LOVE MYSELF.
One day, I was reading my bible and somehow I ended up in Matthew 6 and the words of Matthew 6 slapped me in the face. I got to the part where Jesus was talking about worry and anxiety and the Lord just had me meditating on it. I got down to verse 31 and I had this revelation. Therefore take no thought saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of ALL these things. But see you first the Kingdom of God, and His Righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof (Matthew 6:31-33). I’ve read this passage a few times before, but it has never hit like it did before. The Lord promises me that as long I am seeking the Kingdom of God then I don’t have to worry about anything. I know that I worry about so much such as future plans after the race. The Lord is telling me to seek Him and he will make sure I have food, drink, clothes, my future, and anything else I will need in life. It really made me think about my parents when I was growing up. I knew that they would do everything in their power to feed me, keep me clothed and take care of everything else that I needed to survive. Why can’t I trust God in the same way?
My team and I were doing a bible study on Matthew 16 and I couldn’t stop thinking about Matthew 16:24-26. I asked myself, “What does it means for me to lose my life?” Then I asked myself, “Have I really lost my life?” Now, don’t get me wrong, I love the Lord with all my heart, but if I had to be completely honest I’m not sure if I have laid down my whole life. There are some things that I still hold on to. There are things in this world that I love, but I’m working on completely laying my life down that I’m completely satisfied in Him and Him alone. In Guatemala, I met a man named Bob that was from Mississippi, but he didn’t tell me that at first. I asked him, “Where are you from in the states?” and he replied, “I’m from heaven, I’m a citizen of heaven.” Instantly, I knew that Bob didn’t cherish anything from this world, but he was waiting for that day to stand before Jesus. That’s how I want to be. I want my first response to be I’m a citizen of heaven because this world is not my home. I have laid my life down for my Heavenly Farther and He controls every aspect of my life.
What does it mean to love my neighbor as myself (Matthew 22:34-40)? That’s the million dollar question. This is another truth that God is working with me on as I travel through these countries because sometimes I know I don’t love my neighbor as I love myself. Sometimes I want things just for me. I’m learning that if I truly loved my neighbor as myself then I would give them the best like I would give myself, I would treat somebody how I would wanted to be treated. Jesus exemplified this best. He laid down his life and He asked me to do the same.
These are hard truths that the Lord is teaching me. Do I have the answer on how to do these truths? Nope, but that’s the best part about this. I have to depend on the Holy Spirit to change my heart and help me throughout this process. This is what keeps me at His feet in complete dependence on Him and Him alone. If i try to do these things on my own I want get anywhere, but I know the Holy Spirit will do a mighty work in me so I can be the man that God has called me to be.
Please pray for me as I am walking this process of transformation. Also please pray for my squad mates that are still in need of funding. If you would like to donate to one of them, please contact me.
