I made my committment to abandon my worldly plans this past summer. I had alot of time on my hands when my campers were away and being a senior in college I had to figure out what I was doing after college. I have never been the sort of person to leave things to the last minute. I like to have smooth transitions from one phase of my life to the next.
As a student I have always enjoyed my classes but something inside of me had always told me that I would be a part of something bigger than myself. Accounting was a solid choice for a nice and safe employable major. I felt like it was a sensible choice that I could gain some insight on just how businesses in America seemed to have made such a mess of things with our economy. There was always a lackluster feeling I had while I have been at college. I said to myself have I loved meeting some amazing people? You bet! Have I enjoyed spending my summers in cool places seeing beautiful places like Yellowstone? Definitely! But none of these things had to do with my class work and I sure as heck didn't feel like I was spending each day totally devoted to God…
When I think of the hardest part about deciding to go on the world race I'll have to admit it is that at one time or another I would have to give God a big ole Man Hug. For me intimacy has always been a struggle. I have felt that I must prove my stregnth and fight tooth and nail to prove that I am worth having everlasting life. Unfortunately, time and time again I have failed, and come walking back to the lord asking him to forgive me and lead my life. God has made me love him in entirely different ways than I ever have experienced before since going on the race. I lost my mother at the age of 11…She died from melanoma a form of skin cancer. I have been blessed to have a very loving step mother and father raise me with enough space and encouragement to figure out who I am and what I want to do with my life. I have never questioned God's decision to take my mother as I know his plans are above our understanding but one thing I could not seem to accept was that he could use a young man like me for his glory. In high school I was what most people consider a jock. I played almost every sport that was offered and spent the rest of my free time at home. I went to church with my step mother most Sunday's and after I got up and had a a nice brekfast consisting of blueberry pancakes, turkey bacon and eggs. I never felt like there was anything special or God worthy about myself. I can't sing that well, dance, play any instruments or any notable worship talents but something always told me that he would find his way to use me…
Let's get back to the whole Man Hug business…Since I have came back to campus and started my fundraising process God has shown me that I am someone worth using. He was shown me this by the financial support given to me by people that do not even know me. People that have never met me believe I am worth supporting because of his glory. With the help of one of the greatest friends I have God has spoken to me through his church. $750 has been given to the lord and I will serve as a good a steward as I can for his church. God loving me enough to provide financially for this trip has made me give God a big ole man hug! Not a hand shake, or an adorational praise but a MAN HUG! I love God and he loves me! I've never cried while giving a man hug before but God sure has a hold of my heart. The lord definitely has a sense of humor. I said to myself
"So maybe God can use me but will he help me pay for this trip? I mean I don't have rich friends! I don't go to some church with people just waiting to give me their money!"
And you know what God said!
He said "Greg I will give you people from my church who although they may not know you, they love me and are stewards of my plans."
The family of Christ sure is an amazing family. I love the family the lord has given me but boy oh boy is the lord's family amazing. From now on I think I will have to reconsider my stance on man hugs. My dad and I haven't hugged since I can remember. Ya we have hugged but nothing like the embrace I have shared with my lord and savior. I feel like I have a target. My relationship with my father…well we will have to save that for another time…
For now the theme of my race will be about submission. No more time for neglecting the lord and telling him what I am worth. No the lord has called me to submit myself to his will. Submit everything about my life down to my own self worth and let him fill me and tell me just what I mean to his kingdom. There is a devil crushing tide stirring in my soul and the good lord sure knows just how to get my attention.
