The Word

Hello again from NZ. I'm now in Dunedin after my first Hitch-hike experience. Jonathan and I were able to cover 250 K in 6 hours on Thursday with faith and our thumbs. It was an awesome day, and we met some cool people along our way. We havent done much since we've been here, but we have met up with some friends that we met in Queenstown. It's been nice to hang out and get to know them better. Yesterday I found out that Meagan has been dating someone else which kind of made things clear to me. I've been praying that if we were meant for one another than she'd be seeking the Lord as I am. It hasn't been easy for me, but the Lord has provided me with so much comfort about the situation. He's been showing me that there is so much more than the temporary misfortunes that life has to offer. This morning he led me to a verse in 2 Corinthians... Chapter 4 verses 16-18.

"That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed daily. For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever."

It just really showed me how little the things of this world are in relation to God. For so long I've tried to find my satisfaction in the expectations of others. I've tried to live my life to exceed peoples' expectatons and felt like a failure. No matter how hard we try we can never fufill others expectations because we always want more. The Lord is showing me that the only one I need to focus on is Him. By following His lead I can't go worng because He is the perfect rolemodel. I'm not claiming that I'm perfect now because I'm persuing the Lord, in fact, the closer I get to Him the less perfect I realize I am. Instead of dwelling on it though I feel motivated to grow closer to him. The depression that I've put myself into over the last few years has been based on the fact that I was trying to take charge and make things happen. I'm continuing to learn that God has a purpose for me, and it's not up for me to find out right now. Seeking His will has brough me so much joy and has rescued me from the pressures of the world. Last night God allowed me to visit with a nonbeliever about my testimony here in New Zealand. I was telling him all of the bad things that had happend with a smile and excitment. There is no way I could have done that without the Lord in my life. Don't get me wrong...they still hurt, but I have a comfort knowing that HIs bigger plan is ahead of me.

Take this for what it's worth, but I feel that the only way to find true happiness in this world is through Jesus Christ. I've tried to seek happiness in worldly things (ex. relationships) but temporary joy is all I found. And as I watched it crash down around me I can only thank Christ for giving me the gift of being a part of something bigger.

I can't even put into words how I feel now, because of the joys in my life. I feel free from myself and the world and it's amazing. I just pray that those of you back home who claim to be Christians really evaluate your relationship with the Lord and question whether or not you are seeking His will with all of your heart.
John 3:36 says
"And all who believe in God's son have eternal life. Those who don't OBEY the Son will never experience eternal life, but the wrath of God remains upon them."
Just a thought to encourage all of my brothers and sisters in Christ to seek to obey the will of the Lord and not take advantage of his mercy and grace.

With much Love,
Michael