A few days before leaving on this trip to Sacramento, Trinidad and Jamaica, I met with a friend for coffee. He has experienced an amazing transformation in his life since he became accepted Christ. This former professional gambler, smuggler of sorts and all-around wild guy, shared part of his story with me. Like me, he had some rough relationships in the past (to put it mildly) but his perspective on his past was exciting and refreshing. He has a clear understanding that God used those experiences to bring him to where he is today.
Instead of thinking what he would do differently or kicking himself for mistakes made, he is thankful for the rough and rocky pack he has taken because it was the path that brought him to where he is today. That is the most powerful part of his testimony.
It’s amazing to see where I was a few short years ago. The “success” I experienced in school (3.6 GPA), hiking over 5,000-miles and setting a speed record in the process, being promoted to a full-time management job while still in college, having an attractive long-term girlfriend, and leadership positions in just about every organization I came in contact with - left me feeling totally unfulfilled, unchallenged and bored with life. It didn’t make any sense. And yet, that was what it took to make me realize there was something huge missing in my life and I can use that past to share Christ with others who may be in the place where I was.
There was a time when I wanted to go back and change some of the choices (read: mistakes) I made, but God’s plan is perfect and looking at where it has taken me and the path I’m on now, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Monday, April 28, 2008
No Time for Love
Looking in the rear-view mirror, the driver asked, “Pastor Brad, have you got any Kids?”
Laughing, Miles decided to answer this one for me, “He is still a kid himself!”
Thanks Miles.
Just before taking this job as Miles’ assistant, I was supposed to go out with a very nice young lady from the Rock. Darah asked if I thought it was a good idea to possibly complicate my life even more by perusing a relationship. Without giving it a second thought, I said, “yes, I think it’s a good idea…” (Seriously, what kind of a question is that?).
Whelp, God had other plans and has kept me single. Ha ha. He is good and as always, knows what’s best for me even when I may disagree at first. My sister made mention of the situation to Miles a week before I was hired. His response was, “That boy is not going to have any time for girls…” Miles was right.
On a cool / creepy side note, I’ve had an idea of what God has in store for me down the road. This idea is so “out there” it would have to be a God thing. Knowing that (and not wanting to sound like a crazy person), I’d only told two of my closest friends what I thought was coming down the road.
I could hear the hesitation in my mom’s voice two weeks ago when she asked my permission to pray for something. This “something” was exactly what I had told a friend about a year earlier… Fun stuff. I’ll be able to give more details later.
Laughing, Miles decided to answer this one for me, “He is still a kid himself!”
Thanks Miles.
Just before taking this job as Miles’ assistant, I was supposed to go out with a very nice young lady from the Rock. Darah asked if I thought it was a good idea to possibly complicate my life even more by perusing a relationship. Without giving it a second thought, I said, “yes, I think it’s a good idea…” (Seriously, what kind of a question is that?).
Whelp, God had other plans and has kept me single. Ha ha. He is good and as always, knows what’s best for me even when I may disagree at first. My sister made mention of the situation to Miles a week before I was hired. His response was, “That boy is not going to have any time for girls…” Miles was right.
On a cool / creepy side note, I’ve had an idea of what God has in store for me down the road. This idea is so “out there” it would have to be a God thing. Knowing that (and not wanting to sound like a crazy person), I’d only told two of my closest friends what I thought was coming down the road.
I could hear the hesitation in my mom’s voice two weeks ago when she asked my permission to pray for something. This “something” was exactly what I had told a friend about a year earlier… Fun stuff. I’ll be able to give more details later.
We're BFF
http://www.kingstitchie.com/
This is my new friend's website. His lyrics are AMAZING. Get Up Stand Up is my favorite. He sang it in Church Sunday.
I'm going to try to post the lyrics once I find them (it's fast...).
This is my new friend's website. His lyrics are AMAZING. Get Up Stand Up is my favorite. He sang it in Church Sunday.
I'm going to try to post the lyrics once I find them (it's fast...).
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