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January 03, 2004
A New Year
Well, here comes a new year... One that holds much mystery. Already, I sense a promise of good things to come.
I made a decision while I was at the Christmas Conference to make God my Top Priority and to be a life-long laborer for Him. My promise was that "I am will willing to serve God and my whole life will worship him". These are the kinds of things that happen when you listen to Steve Douglas (the President of Campus Crusade for Christ) speak live. He was an awesome speaker (as were the rest of the speakers during this conference) and he capped off the experience on the final night. This isn't really a new decision for me, but at this conference, it seemed so much clearer to me that this was the only option that makes sense when faced with eternity and making an impact with my life.
Some of you who read this blog might seem puzzled by this, and don't necessarily feel comfortable with Jesus & ideas of God and Faith, and I know that it's not something that people like to open up about easily, but I'm more and more convinced that God is working in my life and that I am to dedicate my life to Him. Now, this doesn't mean that I'm necessarilly going to become a pastor of a church or a televangelist or anything like that, but I do believe that my career should be related to my faith in some way. Teaching at RIT was related through my ability to be the faculty sponsor of Campus Crusade for Christ at RIT, and to interact with students... occasionally on spiritual levels... but all while doing the job of teaching Information Technology. And while I like this, and I'd be willing to continue to do so, the signs are overwhelmingly pointing to the end of my teaching days at RIT.
There are other options that make some sense for my life, including continuing to teach. I could also see myself doing multimedia and web development full-time. But it would be nice if it were focused on God in some way. Another thing that I decided I would do this year (if they welcome me to it, and it sounds like they will) is to go to the Preview Weekend at Campus Crusade World Headquarters in Orlando, FL. At this event, I will learn what life is like at Headquarters and what kind of things I could do there in my field. I am considering full-time Christian ministry, but before I'd commit to full-time ministry I'd like to perhaps try a one-year internship at CCC headquarters. The most difficult thing about doing this for me would be to be able to raise enough support (financially) to be able to do it. I'd like to try, though... So I'll have plenty of questions about this when I go down. I have September in mind as a starting point. (Which brings up questions about my apartment and friends and so-forth... but first, I want to see if this Preview Weekend confirms my sense of calling to explore CCC staff).
Meanwhile, certain new developments have come to light on the relationships with women fore-front, which I really shan't discuss here, but God has shown me recently more than one instance of Christian women who are really wonderful and (at least in theory) available. Some of the circumstances would make a relationship difficult if not impossible, but at least one of them seems to have strong possibilities. Now, the problem is, what would happen to this situation if I were to leave for a one-year internship in Florida? God needs to sort that one out, for sure.
So, anyways. Here I am, Lord... Use Me.
Oh, I have a new "theme song" by the way: I was sung a couple of times during the conference, but it expresses my desire very well:
Over all the earth, you reign on high.
Every mountain stream, every sunset sky
But my one request, Lord my only aim
Is that you reign in me again.
Chorus
Lord reign in me, reign in you're power
Over all my dreams in my darkest hour
You are the Lord over all I am
So won't you reign in me again
Vs 2
Over every thought, over every word
May my life reflect the beauty of my Lord
'Cause you mean more to me than any earthly thing
So won't you reign in me again
Posted by Andrew at January 3, 2004 12:30 AM
Comments
Sounds like a great attitude, Andy! I totally understand what you mean about knowing things like this all along, but needing to formalize a commitment to God (hopefully I'm understanding). It's truely amazing what he does when you allow him ... the challenge is allowing him all of the time, instead of just letting him give you little perks along the way.
Anways ... best of luck with all of this - sounds like you have some great enthusiasm to really hit life head on this year (good to see you posting again too!). Please let Julia and I know if we can be of any help - we'd love to support you in these things.
Posted by: Nate at January 4, 2004 08:44 AM
Somehow, Steve Douglas managed to escape for one evening for we saw him briefly speak on-stage at Urbana on the evening of the 31st (or maybe it was the 30th, I can't remember exactly).
Posted by: Ian at January 5, 2004 11:09 AM