Into the Wild

If I were to take an honest look at my life, I would have to admit that I’ve spent a great deal of it wishing I were somewhere else. When I was a kid I couldn’t wait to be older and do all of the things my older sister could do. I couldn’t wait to go to high school, to be able drive, to graduate, etc. As I got older my longing to be somewhere else continued and I couldn’t wait to get out of college, to get a job, to get married, to get any other job than the one I had. The list is endless. I even catch myself at times looking back and wish I could turn back the clocks to relive my childhood. That’s me…constantly looking elsewhere…daydreaming…wishing…praying.

I often picture myself in a vast desert…it’s endless…dusty and dry…and I’m thirsty. I feel lost and disoriented and constantly long for the comfort of home…for the familiar. It’s during these moments that I spend so much time longing to be somewhere else, that I often miss what it is that God is trying to show me and teach me in the here and now. In other words, I spend so much time complaining about the desert that I forget that I’m being led to the Promised Land.

Conversely, there are many lessons to be learned in the desert or wilderness. Moses found his purpose in the desert place (Exodus 3:10). The Israelites found survival, identity, freedom, and God's protection and provision in the desert (Exodus). Elijah the prophet heard the voice of God in the wild (1 Kings 19). Even Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, and yet by not sinning, he taught us obedience, righteousness, humility, and the life giving power of God’s Word.

You see it is in the wild that God shapes us and molds us. There we find purpose and taste true freedom…when we thirst, we learn to rely on His provision. It is during those times that God desires for us to hear His voice in the midst of all the noise in our lives. Maybe He wishes to remind us that we are merely sojourners on this earth…to find no comfort here, but long for something greater. After all, “He has set eternity in the hearts of men” (Eccl. 3:11). Perhaps he wants us to discover the untamed joy that can only be found in the journey itself.

So, we are prone to wander…almost instinctively. Setting our hearts on a pilgrimage. Discovering the untamed joy of the journey. A journey that carries us towards destiny…that leads us home.

Baby I'm Amazed by You

Are You a Complete Idiot?

I have an admission to make.  I am an idiot.  There, I said it.  I'm simply an ordinary individual, who has been given an extraordinary opportunity.  I have been transformed by the love and mercy of Christ, and he has given my life true meaning and purpose.  As a result, I'm completely 100% sold out to Him.

Throughout history, God has used ordinary individuals to accomplish extraordinary things - Abraham, Moses, David, Simon Peter, Paul, etc. - On the surface, these men appeared to be nothing special.  However, God used each of them as catalysts for change and agents of His divine purpose.

In Acts 4:13, the Apostles Peter and John are arrested for spreading the message of Christ and are brought before the Sanhedrin and questioned.  In a beautiful moment of courage, Peter begins to boldly proclaim Christ before the religious leaders.  After Peter speaks, the Scripture teaches that the members of the council were "amazed," because they understood that these "were ordinary, untrained men...and realized that these men had been with Jesus."

The Greek translation of the word "untrained men" is the word idiotes.  This is where we get the English word idiot.  This simply means a "common, ordinary, and ignorant man."

Later, the same "ordinary" men are arrested once again.  As they face the council, Peter is once more relentlessly bold in sharing the truth of Christ.  The Scripture teaches that the council became "furious" at his words and desired to kill the Christ followers (Acts 5:33).  However, a teacher of the law, named Gamaliel, stands and advises the council to "let them go!  For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them..." (v. 38-39).

For 2000 years, the movement of Jesus Christ has continued to grow and spread, even "to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8), because of the courage of a handful of ordinary men...unstoppable idiots...submitting to God's extraordinary purpose for their lives.

Therefore, I am resolved to be that kind of idiot.  Completely and utterly sold out to God's purpose for my life.  Standing in the midst of an unbelieving world and boldly calling them to the redemption that is only offered through Jesus Christ.