In the past month I have been learning what it truly means to be a Son of God. I have been trying to daily apply the Fruit of the spirit to everything I do.
Galatians 5:22 The fruit of the spirit is Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control;
I have been applying these to every situation I find myself in. I have also been practicing humbleness and working on my pride. The Lord has really helped me overcome almost all of these issues.
I am currently reading a book by John Eldredge called, “The Way of the Wild Heart.” a map for the masculine journey. He writes about how we go through stages through our masculine journey. Boyhood to cowboy to warrior to lover to king to sage. It is hard to be fully developed as a king if you have not yet experienced boyhood. We have to learn to be a son before we can become a husband or either a father.
I have learned to walk with God on a level I never thought was possible. Sure, I have memorized scripture throughout my days. But now as I return to them, God is beginning to show and teach me new and different things through the verses that I learned years ago. For example: Philippians 4:6. It starts off by saying, “be anxious in nothing.” Just a few months ago, I was anxious about so many things. What will I do when I get home? Where will I live? Where will I work? What will I drive? But as the verse goes on, it says, “but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” He didn’t say “with some things.” He said, “With EVERYTHING, come and ask Me!
I have come to a place in life where I have given everything to Him and I now carry nothing. Sure, I find myself trying to do it on my own sometimes, but I am able to stop, repent and give it all over to Him. He wants to carry our burdens for us. Drop your pride and let Him carry your crap!!!
Our time in Africa has just flown by. God has used this season in my life to just teach me. “Be still and listen,” He told me.
My God is a God of mercy. If He can use someone like me to help advance His Kingdom, then He can use any of you too.
I love and miss you all so much. I will be home in about 4 months. Sit tight and just remember that we all have our own ministry. Look around. It is during your lunch time with your co-workers, it is walking through the malls, it is out at night with your friends, and it is sitting on your couch deciding what you’re going to let your kids watch on TV. It is everywhere you are!
Lord, I just hope and pray you give the people of the World the courage to stand up and minister through their actions.
1 Corinthians 8:9
take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak
“As Iron sharpens Iron”
Josh-ua
