Day 11
Today I didn’t get out to meet people. It is Sunday today and we had been running too fast. Today is a day I really took to sabbath. I needed to physically rest but also get refocused on my mission. One of the ways for me to get refocused on my mission is to fast and pray throughout the day. Days like this help me unplug from the rat race of life and reboot. I loved the challenge of asking people good questions and caring about them. In my life there have been times in my life where I have done that very well. When I look back in my life and see the times where I have had these conversations it is because I have “margin” in my life. Too many times I am overscheduled and am stealing time always running behind and not able to truly love people. The challenge for me is in the midst of busyness is to be present to people’s needs and look for opportunities to care for people and even pray for them. The way to live this out for me is to fill myself with scripture and prayer in the morning so I can be poured out the rest of the day. This week I am going to wake up early and spend time with God so that when I spend time with others throughout the day they are getting a glimpse of God through me.
The video was great. Too many times we wait for the perfect moment or want the idealized time to evangelize or talk to someone. I have learned the most through just trying things and failing. I don’t like to use the word failing because failing means giving up and not learning from it, so I call it being challenged. I have had many conversations with people on “How do I know if it is God’s voice?” I ask them back “Have you ever acted on something you thought was God’s voice?” Why are we so afraid to try spiritually? If we believe God is in control he is going to use our “weak sauce” efforts to further the kingdom. So why not just try? A few years back I was in Walmart and I felt God telling me to pray for a cashier. I asked her “Can I pray for you?” She replied “No.” Talk about akward. So after that I figured I would never try pray for anyone ever again….j/k. There have been many times I have prayed or shared the gospel with people since because I chose to learn from that failure. I have failed as a dad, a boss, a husband, a son, and a disciple over and over again. Many times in my life I feel like God has worked in spite of me so he gets the glory and I don’t get any of the credit. God wants to stretch us and leave opportunities where he has to come through because we can’t do it in our own strength.
Appreciate your reality-check, Justin! Loved your quote, “This week I am going to wake up early and spend time with God so that when I spend time with others throughout the day they are getting a glimpse of God through me.”