Today is a special day in my life. Twelve years ago, on May 10, 1996, I was baptized into Christ.
When I look back, it is amazing to consider the journey I have been on since that day. From my marriage to Michelle to the loss of our moms. From moving to Arkansas to go to school to moving to Amherst, Ohio to start full-time ministry. From the birth of Matthew to homeschool. From my first ministry in Amherst, then to Belpre, and finally to Rochester.
Following Jesus is quite the adventure. It has its ups and downs. There are unexpected turns. Sometimes what you least expect is what awaits you around the corner.
As I reflect back on the twelve years since committing my life to God, I realize that God does not determine your path, but He follows you along the way. In moments of victory, God rejoices with us. In moments of sorrow, God sheds a tear. Even in moments of disappointment and failure, God is the Father who is waiting to embrace us.
God never promised that following Him would be easy or without pain. But He did promise a crown of life to those who endure. In spite of all the bumps and bruises, I have discovered that a life of pursuing God is the life abundant that Jesus talks about. It may not look like success according to the world's definition, but it's something far better. This is the life I have chosen, and in the words of Robert Frost...
Two roads diverged in a wood
And I took the one less traveled by
And that has made all the difference.
shine!
Jason
1 comment:
Hi Jason,
Your story on the New Wineskins ministered to me today. We have buried both of my wife, Tammie's, parents, cousin and my aunt in the past 5 months. I have felt like psalm 88 much of the time, and Tammie has had to stop work for a while to recover and grieve. I did the funeral Wednesday for my father's sister in Oklahoma and was comforted by psalm 13. Our praise team at Sycamore View has a newly released CD; "The Psalms Project." which we presented at the Pepperdine lectures last week. The study through the Psalms resonated in our spirits and provided a conduit for hope and healing.
May God Bless You
Tim
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