Following

“Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow, me.” Mark 10:21

-Jesus

A couple of weeks ago I was catching up with a friend I hadn’t seen in a while and the first thing he asked me was, “Dude, when are you going back to Haiti?”

I didn’t think much about it at the time.

During Christmas break I received a newsletter from the missionaries I stayed with in Haiti last spring break. They mentioned need for short term and long term volunteers. I began to think about Haiti and my experiences their and wanted to look into going back.

Then the earthquake happened.

I prayed for the people of Haiti, and prayed for ways in which I could help.

I received an email from Nazarene Compassionate Ministries about sending relief supplies to help aid Haiti. The address listed to send the items was in Miami Florida, I looked it up and it was a local Nazarene Church. I made a few phone calls and spoke with the Pastor down there who also runs a rehab center for men.

I called Seth over to my house to tell him the news, when he walked in the door, I said, “dude Haiti, we should help.” Hey had thought the same thing and was just about to tell me about what he heard on the radio about Haiti.

So know I’m following after God, and trusting in his direction. I don’t know how long we will be in Miami. I don’t know the work we will be able to do, I don’t know if we will eventually go to Haiti.

I do know I’m trusting in Jesus as a disciple following his ways.

The first step.

Disciple.

Christian.

Follower of “The Way”.

American.

Servant.

Child of God.

Man.

These are all words that I have used to describe and define myself during my life. Some of them I have lived by not by choice but purely based on my location of birth, and a seemingly divine plan on my life. I did not choose where I was born or whom I was born to. But I am utterly and completely humbled and thankful for the grace, mercies, blessings, and goodness that I have received in my life. I have two of the most loving and giving parents I could ask for. They have supported and challenged me to follow God all throughout my life. I have a loving family who cares for me and wants the best for me. I am grateful and thank the Lord for his presence in my family’s lives.

Coming of age.

In my life I have reached a point where I am leaving childhood and becoming an adult. With adulthood there are many responsibilities that I must accept. In many ways I have already reached adulthood, physically, legally, mentally. But in other ways I am not there yet. Complete independence, mental sexual purity, and discipleship.

When I was a child I acted like a child, thought like a child and reasoned like a child, when I became a man I put childish ways behind me. 1 Corinthians 13:11

I don’t know how else to say this.

I am taking a step towards discipleship.

I am taking some time away from all the distractions of media, school, friends, and devoting my time towards God.

I will be reading.

Praying.

and waiting on direction from him.

Acceptance

I wasn’t called to a place, I was called to him. In many ways in my life I have already felt a call to serve God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and to love my neighbor as myself.

Now I am trying to truly understand what that means.

I am seeking and waiting.