Starting the Journey

This is my official first blog.  I'm a little apprehensive.  Not sure I have enough to say or that anyone will gain from reading it.  This is probably an exercise that will benefit me more than anyone else.  My intent is to invite you into an incredible journey with me in a full out pursuit of God.  I promise to be honest as  I try to discover His plan, hear His voice, and uncover the gifts and talents He has given me.  I wouldn't even think I had any, except I believe everyone has them, compliments of the Master Designer.  I have wasted years in selfish pursuits and would give anything if I could undo so much of life.  I can't, so I accept the past as a part of my story and purpose in my heart to write the rest of the story much better.  It has been a long journey stoking the faint embers that the Lord never allowed to die inside of me.  Embers that I had all but extinguished with a life centered around me.  I went through a long period that I thought life was the pursuit of what satisfied me, what defined me,  constantly trying to create an image that would intrigue people.  Trying to recreate me into someone interesting all the while forfeiting the life God had intended for me.  Long story short, I failed miserably.  I didn't like me and gave others plenty of reason not to.  I disappointed my family, friends and most of all God.  However, during all of that time I was always aware of God's love for me.  That is a truth that was almost generic.  It was like, Ok, He has to love me because He is God.  It is so easy to take that love for granted.  But there was something else about God that almost haunted me.  It was a thought that became most difficult to dismiss as time went on.  The thought was this, "God is interested in Me!"  That's different than just loving me.  He can love me from up there, but He can't  be interested in me without having a desire to be involved with me.  That thought blows me away!  He is interested in what I'm doing, where I'm headed, what I'm interested in, and what I am planning to do with the rest of my life.  The thought makes me aware of the fact that He has been waiting for my return for a long time.  My favorite part of the "prodigal son" story is when the father saw him far off  and began running toward him.  He didn't even give his son a chance to give his "I'm sorry" speech.  No scolding, just excitement.  Get the robe, kill the fatted calf, its time to celebrate.  I felt that celebration.  When I turned toward home, I found Him running toward me.  Everyday is a celebration of a God who is interested in me.  The past is just a part of the story that reminds me that He was looking for me everyday.  Ready to run toward me.  I don't know who is reading this, but I do know that it doesn't matter what you have done or where you are now,  He is looking for you, ready to run toward you the moment you turn toward Him.  I hope you too will experience the celebration.   Then I want to invite you to JOIN THE JOURNEY as we pursue Him together.