The year 2011 is coming to an end and as I flew home yesterday I began to think about all that has happened to me this eventful year. Jesus has really been working in my life through everything that has happened to me. Romans 8:28 has finally begun to sink in. Not only does He work all things that happen to us for our good but He even turns the evil that we do to ourselves for our good if we let Him! That realization is changing my life! That being said, I give you the top happenings/realizations I've had this year (in attempted chronological order).
First, I became debt free for the first time in seven years. I feel I have finally gained a firm handle on my finances and I know how to save, how to refrain from purchases, and what's needed versus what's wanted. This actually ties into number two:
Secondly, my family's house burned down. This really helped reinforce my thoughts on wealth, especially the fleeting nature of it and how God will provide what we need. The weird thing about this is how joyful I was for the longest time after. Looking back at this time, I realize that it was Jesus who was making me so joyful. There's no other explanation.
Thirdly, I finally got a place of my own. This was a fantastic time. I moved into a three bedroom house with my friend Mikey. It was so good living with him and having a place of my own.
Next, I dropped everything, quit my job, and moved to Oregon, all without knowing if I was even accepted into the discipleship school I was planning on attending. Thirty hours into the almost forty hour drive I finally found out I was accepted into the school. The time spent so far here at Mandate has been so good for me.
During school, we had to tell our life stories. Following this, I decided to get baptized again. I was baptized at five years old but didn't fully understand what that meant. With all that has happened to me the last two years, I just really felt like I should make a public declaration of my commitment to Jesus. About two weeks after this, I was baptized in the Holy Spirit. That was so good!
Finally, one of the most important things I've been learning and working since starting school, and especially the last three months, has been that Jesus is all that I need. I still haven't fully grasped this concept. I recently read that there is a progression in the gospels of our relationship with the Lord. First, it's Master/servant, then friends, then Father/son, and finally bride/Bridegroom. I feel like I'm in the transition from Father/son to bride/Bridegroom. All of my life, I've looked to women for confirmation of who I am as a man and I've always had my affection focused on someone. Now I'm starting to realize that Jesus opinion is all I need and that He can and should be the One I'm romancing. That's not to say that I don't desire to marry. I still desperately desire a wife. But I'm trying to get to a point where I am content with the thought of a lifetime of being a bachelor. And I'm realizing just how romantic Yahweh really is. He did create romance, after all.
No comments:
Post a Comment