I have a lot of dreams. And a lot of those dreams are birthed out of the heart of God. I have a dream of shepherding a flock of believers into an intimacy they’ve never known. I have a dream of rising up a future generation of pastors. But my first dream is to simply be the man God wants me to be…like my namesake, a man after God’s own heart.
And this is where obedience meets trust. I recognize that this year is not about getting done so I can get back to what God has called me to do or allowed me to dream. This year is about letting God break me each morning to rebuild me throughout the day. It’s about being taught by the soft still voice of God who is eager to teach a listening student. God is willing to make me today, into the man he needs of me tomorrow. And hopefully, after a year of humble obedience, I’m closer to being the man God wants to fulfill those dreams he has birthed in my heart.
God asks me in the moments in the slums to love His children, the unlovable wreck that is ignored by their parents and neighbors. If I am unwilling to choose to love that child with the love of Christ today, how can he transform me into the loving father he wants me to be tomorrow? (below is one of the girls from Guachupita, Gloria, who knows how to love better than anyone i´ve ever met before.)
God asks me in the moments walking along the street to forgive the men who whistle and holler at our girls on the streets. If I am unwilling to forgive them in those moments, how will I be able to forgive those who offend and mistreat my wife? Am I allowing God to create me today into the husband he wants me to be tomorrow?
God asks me in the moments of busyness to escape and pray. He asks for a few minutes for me to draw near to Him. If I cannot make Him my first priority today, how will I be able to, when I return to a culture controlled by a clock, ever make time for Him. Am I allowing God to create me into the listening shepherd he wants me to be tomorrow?
Let me experience sorrow so that others and I can be comforted.
Let me be cheated so others and I can know the beauty of your Justice.
Grant me stillness so I can see You moving.
Allow me to be confronted with lies, so that others and I may find joy in the Truth.
Give me tears so others and I can receive your joy.
Allow me to see desperation so that others and I may understand hope.
