Just wanted to share a brief message I received yesterday. It reminded me of the importance of slowing down, letting go, and letting God. I hope it's a blessing to you as well.
God bless,
J.W.
He is a young man in search of God's plan for his life. Presently, he is living in Australia involved in a ministry that brings him into contact with a wide variety of people. He touches lives that many of us would ignore or avoid. He genuinely loves people and does his best to live like Jesus in their presence. In a recent letter he shared a few stories, described some of the people he has met, shared some of what he is learning about himself and the Lord, and asked for specific prayers.
In one paragraph he talked about the continuing search for his place in the world. He spent a couple of days in meditation and prayer and asked a man of wisdom and experience "...for any advice in terms of spiritual discernment, direction, vocation; he said something really interesting: he said 'first of all, relax. Enjoy your life and try not to worry, that God will place you where you need to be, and to trust that.'" He admits he is trying to do that. I admit that I am trying to do that. "First of all, relax." We get in such a hurry to see God's plan for our life to be revealed that we wonder what is He waiting for? Why doesn't He show us what He wants us to do? Has he forgotten how desperate we are to know what we are supposed to do? What are we supposed to do?
"First of all, relax."
Just relax. In spiritual terms that means we acknowledge that God is in control, God is aware, God is concerned, and God is working. If you find that you are feeling a bit panicky about where you are headed, or when it seems you are not headed anywhere, "First of all, relax."
"Enjoy your life."
It is difficult to enjoy life when we hurry through it at neck-break speed. It is almost impossible to enjoy life when we are constantly reaching for more, living with the regret of what could have been, and seldom allow ourselves to be content. "Enjoy your life."
"Try not to worry, that God will place you where you need to be."
God knows what we need to be doing and where we need to be to accomplish His purposes. He is working His plan for us and through us. He knows us. He understands our gifts and talents. He did create us. So, "Try not to worry, that God will place you where you need to be."
"Trust that."
If the other things were not difficult enough, the wise man concludes his advice with "trust that." Simply "trust" that God knows what He is doing and will do what He needs to do when He is ready to do it. There is no need to rush it, there is no need to panic, and there is no need to spend sleepless nights worrying about whether or not we are doing what God wants us to do. "Just trust that God will place you where you need to be."
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
BBC Radio!
Hey guys,
Just wanted to let you know that yesterday morning, I received an e-mail from Karnie Sharp of the BBC, the largest news media network in the world, asking if I'd be willing to participate in an international panel discussion addressing the question: is Barack Obama's nomination the biggest moment in modern black history. She said she read my blog and thought I'd be a good panelist. Needless to say, I was willing.
So, below is the link to the radio program's site. On it, they posted a link to the Journal. It's under the headline, "Is it wrong to support Obama because he's black?" Check it out and let me know what you think.
Also, if you have time, listen to me on the radio at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/networks/wservice/aod.shtml?wservice/world_hys_wed. It's about 10 minutes in and I'm only on for about a minute, but I'm there.
This will hopefully be the first of many opportunities like this, as this was an incredible experience that I wouldn't trade anything for. The discussion included people from all over the world and somebody thought me worthy enough to weigh in. It's just one more instance of God continuing to show me the direction he wants to go in, and I look forward to journaling this new journey with you all.
As always, thanks for all your support.
God bless,
J.W.
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