Tuesday, February 1, 2011

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.

5 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing from your heart what He is teaching you, Keith! As I read, the words from Casting Crowns' "Prodigal" kept coming to mind ... "Daddy, here I am again" ... and you are so right ... He IS interested! As earthly parents, we can hardly get enough time with our college-aged son. How much more does Papa God want to enjoy us? It IS mind-blowing! Looking forward to hearing more! For now, please know today you've encouraged a fellow traveler on the Journey ...

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  2. Although I may believe differently than you I do believe in a higher power watching over us. I believe that loved ones that have gone before us are there as well; observing and possibly persuading us towards the better us. At one time I had hit a low spot in my life. I was a lost little lamb. Mom was no longer around to ask questions to and I really had lost all the family I had ever had via distance and other circumstances. Expectations of others let me down and I was in a bitter depressive state. I lost faith in people, in life and in myself. One day a thought came into my mind and it has stuck with me. I am not sure if Mom sent the message to me or if it was something greater; a lesson I needed to learn. If you live for nothing, you get lost in everything.
    Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I love you. Keep writing.

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  3. randommomma - thnx for the encouraging words. It is mind blowing to think of God's desire to spend time with us. He is passionate about us. Don't know why that is so hard to grasp. HE DID GIVE HIS SON FOR US. Glad you're on the Journey.

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  4. Hey Shell, Thnx for taking the time to read the blog. I know what you mean about losing your way. I was there. I was probably on of those who disappointed you. We can encouarge each other on the journey from here on out. Whomever the message was from, it was a good one. See ya on FB. Loads of Love.

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  5. .."the pursuit of what defined ME..->...forfeiting the life God had intended for me"...

    Wow! I have just been exposed!

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