Welcome back Kotter …er…Justin

Well I want to say that it’s GREAT to be back to writing. I will be back on the series of finding your purpose soon. I’ve taken a long (too long) break from writing, but I’ve actually had a chance to see God move in my life and it’s given me some insight into finding my/our purpose. So let me say that I have personally been affected by faith and patience and that when I do get back to the series it will come directly from my heart and from my experience.

First of all, let’s just give a little update on what has been going on in my life in the last two and a half months… Ok, so the last time I wrote was about at the end of April. Things were starting to change at about that time, big changes. It was at the end of April that a good friend of mine told me about a job opportunity in North Texas. I was excited and frightened out of my mind to go for this job. Aside from college, I’ve lived in Houston all my life. Yes, I travel and yes I’ve been far away from home, but leaving home…well that was something new to me. I applied and over the course of a month the company and I met via phone, email, and finally face to face. It was a perfect fit and over that month God really did a work in me to prepare me. He opened my eyes and showed me that living isn’t living if you’re afraid to move. Helen Keller so eloquently put it like this: “Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.”

The next big thing to happen was an incredible trip to California. It just so happened that the trip occurred right after my final day of work at my previous company and two weeks before my new job (and city) would begin. California was life changing for me. I met some great people who helped me along the way. I’ve compared life to a hiking trail before, and it still holds true. I was hiking up, well, climbing would be a great way to put it too, but hiking up to summit Half Dome when I met some awesome people who allowed me to hike with them the rest of the way. And you know, that was a God blessed thing because as Justin’s luck or whatever would have it, once I reached the summit of Half Dome I dropped my camera and broke it. Fortunately my new friends were gracious enough to take pictures and then email them to me. That’s how it is in life. We meet special people that may help us get through a season or may help us for a moment, but they leave a lasting impact. Well, this hike affected me spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Spiritually I had to rely on the Lord to get through this hike. I turned back three times before I heard a small voice telling me it would be ok…more on the spiritual part later. Emotionally I broke down on this hike. I wept as I thought about leaving my home, my family, my friends behind and moving to a new city. Yes, I had friends…well, I have Shaun and Angie…heck the whole McClain family which is my second family so yeah, but still, I was leaving familiarity for something not familiar. And it also broke my heart to leave my niece. I’ve seen her grow from coming home from the hospital to a beautiful 6 and a half year old. So that WAS HARD!! Physically, I was exhausted. I probably burned about 10,000 calories that day and, even though I was eating along the trail, I nearly passed out in Yosemite Village after the hike. That night I slept through three text messages and a phone call and woke up 14 hours later. The rest of the trip was amazing. After Half Dome I felt closer to God. I felt as if we’d connected intimately. I journaled the day before Half Dome that I was giving my life (well, of course), but specifically I was giving God my finances, my job, my future, and my romantic life (future girlfriend/spouse) to the Lord. Let’s just say this…it’s paid off in huge, HUGE dividends. I went to Napa and Sonoma Valley after leaving Yosemite and it was a chance to unwind and just enjoy myself. I’ve laughed more, smiled more, and have generally just enjoyed life more since my trip. I don’t fear being alone, as evidenced by eating in some pretty swanky places in Napa all by my lonesome. I enjoyed it and in a way, I don’t think this trip could have been what it was if I hadn’t been alone.

God truly blessed that and He’s blessed my faith and courage through both the move to Dallas and the trip to California. I look back over the last year or so and I see that what God has been doing in me is preparing me for this changed. A year ago I would not have considered Dallas as an option and I thoroughly enjoyed my control over the certain areas I specifically gave to God. Once I released these things and gave them to God, He opened the floodgates of blessing. I have an incredible job and I know that this is the place He wants me to be at. I have an incredibly blessed life and that’s not to brag, but instead it’s to tell a tale of how God took me from a situation that spelled gloom and doom for me and He delivered me from it. I haven’t experienced joy like I am experiencing now. He’s taken every area I specifically prayed for and released and He’s blessed me in all those areas…that’s right all of ‘em. ;) Again, it’s not to brag, but to just tell a tale that if we are to be purposeful people we have to be willing to move forward in faith, be patient, and let God handle it. I’ve been here in Dallas three weeks and it feels right, well…it is right…and this past Sunday…well…I know what it means now to wait patiently on Him and He will bless you in ways that you can’t ever imagine. This is exactly where I am supposed to be, and there’s nothing better than being right where God wants you. So lean on the Lord and listen to His voice as it calls you. Don’t put your faith in yourself, put in the Most Holy God, the Savior Jesus Christ and embrace the rich and blessed life He has in store for you.

Proverbs 3:5-12 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in."

So that’s what’s been up! I am glad to be back to writing and am looking forward to pouring myself out on paper (well, ok, the Internet…whatever) as well as looking forward to giving you some personal life updates in the future.