Hard to keep the focus...

Sorry... its been a few days since I have said anything! I can tell that I have kept you on the edge of your seats. It's just been a crazy past few days, so I haven't wanted to write and/or there just has been NO time.  It is funny how one minute you can be so passionate about doing something, and then all of a sudden you put it off and don't feel like doing it.  This is a regular part of my life.  

This brings me to my missional focus in my life.  I am very focused on wanting to be a missionary full time for the rest of my life.  After going to Germany and coming back, God has shown me so much and taught me so much about myself and other people.  He taught me about leadership, service and how to love in different ways.  These are all things that I do not want to EVER lose sight of... things that if I can focus on them, it will truly shape me into a better man for the ret of my life.

Getting back to the states, back into the swing of things, can be so hard to do.  For those of you who have ever done missions work, or been on a short term missions trip, you know that sometimes the biggest culture shock is coming back to the states and seeing how we have it or how we are in comparison with other countries.  Life here is so different from other places... which makes sense.  I find that some people come back to the states with a bitter heart against America and Americans, which I am probably guilty of plenty... but that is NOT the approach to take, and I have learned that over time. But my focus for this blog is not on culture shock, it is on focus, procrastination and commitment. 

Focus because, it is so hard to focus sometimes on the things that really matter in life, even those things that may actually be most important to you.  Finding quiet time with the Lord is sometimes the hardest thing to do as a student on this campus... at least for me sometimes.  Trying to keep up that awesome one on one time with God that I had while overseas... thats what I want and that is what I am striving for.

Procrastination.  If you know what the word means, then I really don't need to say anything.  Trying to fit God into your schedule later... ok, 10 minutes... ok, after lunch... oh man, is it really 7 pm already? Ok, I'll do it in an hour. You wake up the next day and you are like, 'WHOA, where did my day go? I didn't even spend time in the word!'... and that becomes routine. I think procrastination is really one of the subtle works of the devil. I know that sounds corny or dorky, but it is so true.

And the there is commitment. Truly committing your whole self to something is so hard to do. I plan on doing this in 9 months by getting married to my beautiful Angel, Lee Ruth.  I normally don't have any problem committing myself to her, so what happens to committing my time to the Lord? When am I giving myself to God to let Him use me?  

It just gets so tough. I want to keep that same heart, that same passion I have while I am doing missions work.  Lord God, please don't let that fire burn out, but only ignite it more, so that my fire will burn into other peoples lives.

Until the Nets are Full,

JFW

'Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.' Romans 12:1-2