Looking Forward

So I decided to start blogging again last week. Turns out writing, and blogging by dint of being writing (not of being fish people), is an activity I gain energy from. Everyone has these "rejuvenating" activities: something that makes you feel energized and accomplished. For some people, spending time with a group of friends or in a large mass of people can be energizing (Confession time: that's totally me). For others, spending time alone thinking or reading will do the trick. There's all sorts of activities that can fit the bill, and while most people have many that might do the trick, they don't spend enough time doing those things. That being said, blogging/writing, although technically a "secluded" activity, is me connecting with other people through what I write, and it gives me energy.

Writing, spending time with friends, talking with my brother, working with computers, teaching, listening to orchestral music (eg. soundtracks from movies, tv shows, and video games); these are the things that give me energy. Luckily for me, blogging incorporates 3 of these: writing, working with computers, and listening to orchestral music. And though I may be blogging for my own personal reasons, if what I say can help other people grow, then that's great! (It's also teaching, and therefore energizing :D)

You've probably noticed that some things have changed here on my blog. And although it will stay the way you see it now here, eventually my blog will move to my own website... once I move some numbers around, get the site started, and then create time-travel. So, you know, maybe in a couple weeks.

On to the title of the post: Looking Forward. I'm not one for setting long-term goals, at least not in the way most people might set goals, but I still take time to look ahead and see where my life is going. With a similar thought in mind, one of the people I work with asked me recently if I had "found my niche." For those of you who don't know, I currently work with Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), a world-wide organization that shares the gospel with children and helps them to grow in their faith. One of the ministries we use to do just that is Good News Club, where children can come after school and learn Bible verses, hear a Bible lesson, sing songs, play games, and have fun while learning more about God. And it was after a Good News Club this week that one of the volunteers asked me about my niche.

In a way, I have found my niche, but I'm not sure if it's where God is going to have me stay. With CEF I can teach children (which I enjoy), work with computers (which is sorely needed), and spend time with friends. It also happens to be fulfilling the Great Commission that Christ gave us. And to tell the truth, usually when I have a day off from work... I'd rather be at work. But I'm not sure if it's where God wants me to stay. Sure, it's where He wants me to be, but is it where He wants me to stay? Honestly, I don't know.

Looking forward, I know that something's going to have to change, as my annual income is nowhere near what it needs to be to support myself, let alone a family. But when that change will come? No idea. Maybe I'll still work with CEF but have a different position. Maybe I'll do something else where I can still use my skills with teaching and computers to be a light for Christ. Right now only God knows.

Now I could ask myself, "If only God knows, shouldn't I keep my mind here, rather than looking ahead?" The answer to that is no. God has called us to keep our eyes on Him and to be responsible with what we have now, yes. But nowhere in the Bible did God say, "you shall not look ahead or plan." Rather He said in James 4:15, "Instead, you should say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.'" So yes, look ahead, plan, but focus not on the plan, focus on God. If God brings you to follow your plan, cool. If you find He has a different plan, follow His instead of yours.

Remember: God's plan is best! No matter what it is, or how it looks, His plan is the best. God is all-powerful and all-knowing; to say that He doesn't know best is to doubt one of these truths. So if you take anything away from reading this, may it be that you trust that God's plan is best!

I plan to post about once a week, hopefully on a specific day, so if you want to keep reading more of my crazy writings, keep an eye out for a new post each week.

Godspeed,

Jason