Life Is Great
A couple of days ago I went for a walk with my Dad and it was a wonderful opportunity for us to catch up and talk about life. I love it when opportunities like this pop up. Now that I’ve been gone for over two years, I pounce on an opportunity to spend time with my father faster than Mufasa did on the hyenas in The Lion King. I love my Dad, and for the last couple of years there’s been a certain kind of closeness between the two of us that’s priceless, mainly because out of everyone who lives in my house, I’ve spent the most time with him. I guess that’s what happens when your parents divorce. (back to the talk) I’m in a pretty strategic season of my life right now and I’m extremely thankful I don’t have to make any life altering decisions by tomorrow morning. But those decisions are sneaking up on me fairly quick and I’m not taking them lightly, one of them being where I’ll end up once I graduate from PBC. When I first moved to Portland, moving back to Antioch when I finished school was pretty much a guarantee. Two and a half years later, that’s definitely not the case. My Dad was the first one to plant the seed of the crazy possibility of me staying in Portland. So the other day, just like every other time I’m home, I wasn’t shocked when he asked me if I was gonna stay up there. It’s as if I’ve already received the blessing from my parents to not come home when I graduate college.
Crazy.
The anticipation of next semester has officially been planted in my spirit and there are so many exciting things to look forward to. I don’t know what it is, but I absolutely LOVE the spring semester. Besides all of the conferences, prophetic assembly, senior sermons, and spring break, there’s just something beautiful when the clouds go away, allowing the blue sky and the sun to find their place again in the beautiful Northwest. Also, my apprenticeship with Marc is stronger than ever and the longer I serve under him, the more I see how strategic it was that the Lord placed him in my life. Servanthood. Isn’t it a crazy concept? I don’t care how crazy it sounds, there’s only one way to the top; become a faithful servant. Life is great. What can I say?
Straining towards what’s ahead,
- Joe
Post Script: Scotty got engaged! Thank you Scotty, for allowing me to be a part of yours and Monica’s journey together. It’s been an honor to fight the good fight with you and the fight just got easier knowing she’ll be by your side. I feel tremendously blessed to have the both of you in my life. Rock!
Bo, 
Vitoria Ashley 5:16 pm on December 29, 2008 Permalink |
Ooo, life choices are meaty stuff. Don’t forget there’s a whole world out there. As I’m looking at graduating the same year with my two year and moving on to other school, I could do that ANYWHERE! I could study abroad–especially if I did journalism. That’s SUCH an exciting time to think about.:) Being nothing but young and full of possibility. Hehe, I’ve always made sure that God knew I’m fully available to take advantage of the season of life I’m in. So many of us young Christians are always looking for who we’re going to marry and what our calling inside of our church is and what’s the fastest rout to settled down? While all of those things are truly valuable and good and God-given, why would we cheat Him and ourselves out of this magnificent time that is youth? I admit I may be the extreme side of this argument–wanting nothing more than to pick up and move somewhere just because I can. This age is just too good a chance to watch it go by. We here, in this place, can go and do and we don’t have to do it here because we’re here–we can do it there because there exists. What a wonderful thing.:)
What adventure can you imagine?
Joe 8:12 pm on December 29, 2008 Permalink |
This is true Tori, but this “there” that you speak of doesn’t exist for everyone. Just because “there” exist doesn’t mean that everyone should conisder it. For some people, all they have is the “here”. Why? Becuase that’s what the Lord’s placed in front of them. The sad thing is that there are too many people out there who have sacrificed their ultimate calling to live life in the “there” places, instead of staying put in the “here” places.
Could it be possible that a destiny being fulfilled in the wrong place is ultimately a destiny not being fulfilled at all?
Vitoria Ashley 9:07 pm on December 29, 2008 Permalink |
I do agree.:)
Vitoria Ashley 9:11 pm on December 29, 2008 Permalink |
Hehe, my stance tends to get passionate and say things more strongly than I intend to. Sorry.:)
Bo 9:55 am on December 30, 2008 Permalink |
Such an interesting discussion! I agree with Tori that lots of people look for the quick road to a settled life and sell themselves short on the adventure God has for them. I know so many people my age (i.e. old) who had such a longing for the mission field when they were in college, but are now chained to a mortgage-and-minivan life (or a spouse who doesn’t share the same call – yikes!) and have never stepped foot outside their cul-de-sac. (However, my grandparents launched out as missionaries to Mexico after all their kids were grown, so it’s never too late). But I’ve also seen people who just live their lives on restless feet…never planting, never growing roots, and never finding the fulfillment that comes from faithfulness and consistency. The older I get, the more certain I am that the whole key to hitting your destiny is: hear clearly, obey completely.
Scotty 3:25 pm on January 3, 2009 Permalink |
I love what God’s doing Joe. And as for your Post Script… I think you’ll find it’s Mon and I who get the bigger blessing having you around!