It has been quite a long time since I last wrote a blog. I;ve been through a great tempering of my soul and personality. I would like to say that I am wiser now than the last time I wrote a blog, but that testimony belongs to another....my wife.
Lately, I have realized that I have a role to play in God's economy, and despite my desires to not be so busy or active, I believe that necessity of the times demands it. In case you haven't noticed, things have been really difficult in the History of our Country over the last few years. We have seen different leaders come to power and go. Some we cared for and other we did not. We pray that God comes and rights all of the wrong that has reeked havoc on our people, but I'm not sure this is something that he plans on accomplishing.
Ever since the apostle Peter spoke a sermon, and the paraklete baptized those who believed, God has been about another tactic than splitting seas with his glorious hand. He no longer hurls plagues upon people as a means of his judgment. Instead, he sends out people one by one as his witnesses, and make no mistake the early Christians new what a witness was . . . a martyr. In fact we are told that "anyone who desires to live a godly life will be persecuted." However, my persecution is minimal at best. Either way, I am the light. I am the city on a hill. I am the salt of the earth. It is my responsibility.
This short blog may appear to be the ramblings of an inexperienced youth, and I'm sure that no one will care to read what a pion of ministry thinks. Nonetheless, I am convinced that what Jesus is looking for is someone whose heart is fully devoted to him and his cause to rescue the perishing. I accept this assignment, knowing that it means a difficult road. I realize that this choice is not the one that lands me in a cushy church located on a Florida beach with a nice salary. No...my daughter will not know this future most likely. Instead, she will have to bear witness to a man in the trenches of ministry, being a prophet to a generation that has come to hate Jesus. I know that along the way, I will stumble and fall, but if the Lord will be so kind, my desire is to see a new generation in church rise up. I may have to sacrifice my dreams, hopes, wishes, education, health, and even children on this altar. I pray the Spirit keeps my heart convinced it is worth it, because this pour soul is so prone to wander.
Let's be honest as ministers, can we live this life and have the faith that counts all things as garbage compared to the glory that awaits us. I am convicted at this vision, because I have a gut wrenching hunch that this is the image that people need to see today . . . a martyr. I don't know that I have what it takes to be this man. If you read this message, pray to the Holy Spirit that he creates this person in me.
