Perspectives - Weeks 1-5 - brief personal response

Purpose –

            In a world full of a humanity struggling to find purpose, it’s refreshing and comforting to know that purpose can be found in the will of God. I know I’ve spent plenty of time wondering what the purpose of so many seemingly pointless aspects of life is. I’ve never wanted this life to be all about me, because that doesn’t sound important enough. Now, a global crusade to win the world for the glorification of the Creator of all? THAT is something worth spending my life on.

Passion –

            “Passion is the heart set free to pursue that which is truly worthy.” I love it. Since the beginning of this course I have felt an ever-growing passion to completely abandon all my little hopes and plans and deny myself for the sake of Christ. How this will play out in my life…I have absolutely no idea. What I do know is, God is building a passion in me, a foundation of fire, and I’m excited (and yes, nervous as well) where it will take me.

Hope –

            Hopelessness is running rampant throughout the world, and is one of Satan’s most powerful weapons. Fortunately, true Hope is stronger and will prevail. The art of not losing said hope takes practice, as I’ve come to know, and I have a new-found desire to grasp and spread this Hope whenever and wherever I can. It is not a hope for marriage, children, close friends…which are all things that are good and I deeply desire…it is a Hope of salvation, eternal life, and the glorification of God in the fullness of all creation redeemed back to Himself.

Mandate –

            At last! Significance! I have come to realize that I am so small and insignificant, but can chose significance in Christ. To think that I have the opportunity to step into something of such incredible importance is both exciting and challenging. I have a LOT to live for and represent! I’ve also got a gracious and loving God that will guide me through it all. Amen.

Witness –

            “God arranges for his servants to display what they declare.” Whatever way this is to be implemented in my life, I say “Yes”. If I am to be a witness of Christ I must be LIKE Christ in everything I do. Hmm…definitely a work in progress. However, I believe God will continue to work in me, sharpening me more and more, making me a more effective weapon in His army of salvation.

Above Reproach - Titus 2:6-8

"Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us."

- Titus 2:6-8

       This verse really caught my attention last night.Paul is writing to one of his converted companions and significant helpers in his ministry, Titus. In this passage, Paul is calling Titus as a leader to set an example and be above reproach. These are obvious things like self-control and walking in purity; your "standard" leadership requirements. What I think caught me off guard was in verse 8. 

"Show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. 

       Not only is Paul admonishing Titus to walk as a leader for the sake of the young Christians, but also as a shield against the enemy. Every stumbling or area of lacking allows those who oppose a foothold to steer you away from righteousness. Paul is calling Titus to be above reproach. For instance, a court hearing would find him innocent in every sense of the word, both physically and spiritually.

       How does this apply to me? Let me back track. On Wednesday of this past week I attended the bi-weekly meeting of student leadership chaplains at George Fox, of which I am one. During one portion of the meeting, we went around the circle and updated everyone about what we were doing and how things were going, and then the others would speak a word or phrase of how they see God working in or through their life, etc. When it got to me, multiple people brought up this sense of foundation, a solid rock. One said that he saw me as that solid rock and foundation on which ministries and opportunities will succeed and flourish. This really meant a lot to me, as just this week I started feeling a change coming in me (and as a result started this blog).

       I am called to be a leader and solid foundation in the ministries I'm involved in. If I am to be indeed solid, I must be above reproach. That means I must be 100% committed to all that qualifies a leader in God's eyes. 99% will not be enough...not just because I need to set an example, but because it's critical that I uphold the armor of God and stand above whatever may try to take me down. 

Hosea 10:12

       Woke up to an unexpected and interesting encouragement this morning. I am currently doing a read-through-the-Bible-in-one-year plan (got about a month left) and it's been awesome. However, there have been many mornings where the Old Testament reading was just...hard to get through? Seemingly pointless or vague? Nevertheless I have continued to read all the way through, but to be honest I don't usually expect to find anything of personal or for-today significance. Well, I was proven wrong today :)

"Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you." 

- Hosea 10:12

       I find this a great encouragement in the first morning after the night I committed to begin this new journey. Yes, it is time to live righteous in ways I haven't before; a higher level of this living. Let steadfast, unfailing love be at the forefront of all that I do. It's time to ready the soil, break up the unreceptive places in my heart to receive new levels of Truth and understanding of who God is and how my life fits in His plan. It is time to seek the LORD.

The Beginning

       Tonight, I have come alive in ways I never knew before. I have grown up seeing people passionate about the Word of God, but have never felt that myself. Sure, I've spent lots of time reading it, but for obligatory purposes and not as much out of pure desire.

       Without going into detail, it is suffice to say that certain things are going on around campus here at George Fox University that are clearly perversions of Truth and the express Word of God. There is an ever-increasing air of "Christian universalism" that, along with the art-of-expression and make-your-own-religion worshiping Portland culture, is showing signs of going down a path that is NOT the straight and narrow path God has called us on.

       Tonight, God set a fire in my heart for Truth. Pure. Simple. Unadulterated. Truth. The black and white knowledge of who God is and what His purpose is for creation. To be honest, I don't have a clue what I'm doing. All I know is that there's a burning inside me that's never been there before, and I have never felt so Bold and ready to proclaim and suffer for the sake of Christ. Paul's words of his life being spent and suffering endured for the sake of Christ have never been clearer to me. I am beginning to understand the joy that comes from a Holy Spirit-filled life. A joy that remains whether everything goes right or wrong. The joy that sustains.

       The first step, I know for sure, is Prayer. Through prayer and spending time in the Word, I trust God will give me guidance and a direction for this passion to grow and pour out. Here it goes...