Dreams and goals are one of the most important things in life. Without them, it’s hard for me to comprehend how anyone achieves anything worthwhile. They drive us to work for something. I have many dreams and goals of things I want to accomplish during my time on Earth, but I need to check and see if my dreams align with God’s plan. If I chase a dream outside of God’s plan, I could very well miss out on a better opportunity or blessing that he would have given me. Sadly, I do not always choose God’s plan. Sometimes it’s very difficult to follow God because that requires letting go of control, something I have much difficulty doing. I often wonder why I can’t know the entirety of God’s plan, but then I realize that’s me wanting total control. I would probably attempt to change the plan to what I thought was best. Not probably, definitely. Which that is why I am not in control haha.
The more I mature and the more I release control to God, the less anxious I am about my future. I don’t have to worry about finishing college, finding a wife, or having a successful career because I know that God will grant all I need in him. If I keep focus, I will find all the fulfillment I need in Christ. The other blessings he provides are a bonus because he wants me to enjoy life! It’s when I try to force the blessings that I’ve noticed they don’t come. It’s when I’ve lost focus.
Looking back at my short life, I see many different dreams and goals that have changed over the years. Elementary age me wanted to play baseball forever. Middle school me wanted to be a lawyer like my mom. In the early years of high school I shifted back and forth from lawyer, to financial advisor, to sports manager. I wanted to go to LSU and then move to a big city and find many rich/famous clients. I had lost focus. I knew my calling was to be a missionary since I was a toddler.
My church family at FBC Longville helped realign my focus back on mission work. Getting to go to Cuba, New Orleans, and Kenya with them were some of the best times of my life. Those short term trips made me want to go on more trips and longer trips. When I focus on God, I get FIRED up at the thought of leaving the country and sharing the gospel on a daily basis. Even writing this paragraph, oh man, I’m bouta go run through a wall or something because the thought of sharing the gospel around the world makes me want to go NOW (what better time to buy cheap flight tickets than now because of Corona). I can’t think of words strong enough to convey how strongly I feel about going to all the world. I’m so excited.
Throughout high school I can see how God has slowly changed my heart, my dreams, and my goals to follow him. He shifted my focus away from the idea of worldly success and showed me to work towards heavenly success. Matthew 6:19-20 says “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” God has changed my heart to want his treasure more than what is on earth.
When his desires become my desires, what I want changes. I begin craving God’s will more than anything. I begin to get FIRED up like I mentioned before. God has given me the desire to go on the World Race. God has given me the dream and goal of graduating seminary and one day working with the International Mission Board. My goals have changed from wanting to work in business and gain treasures on earth, to wanting to travel, write, and share the Good News.
Thank you for taking the time to read my latest update. Thank you for continuing to pray for me! During this time, please pray that:
- I will continue to focus on God and follow his plan for my life
- That I will stay committed to working and fundraising
- My trip will not be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Fundraising Update: I have $6,600 of my $18,000 goal. I am encouraged and thankful for how awesome fundraising has been the last 2 months. If you would like to donate please contact me in the comments or through the email I have in the “contact” section of my blog.
COVID-19 Update: As of right now, April 11th, 2020, my trip is still set to launch. Training camp was moved from July to September and my launch date was pushed two weeks back. This is currently the only change and I am thankful that we are still planning to leave.
