As I reflect back on 2013 and look ahead to this year, I really can't believe how much difference a year makes. To think that we would be in the position we are in right now, on a totally different course than I ever imagined, is quite unreal. 2013 for us was really the year of "the cliff", the cliff being full time missions. We may have flirted within distance of this cliff before, but never really considered walking up to the edge and jumping off. Well, God had a different plan than us, and it was ultimately Him that pushed us over the edge. I think of how many people in the Bible that God "pushed" into doing something that they never thought they were capable of doing. It seems that all throughout scripture He uses ordinary people to accomplish great things. I believe the God that existed 2000 years ago is still the same One in control today, and He wants to use each and every one of us to be Christ to others. That will look different for every Christ follower, but we have to be willing to be used by Him.
For me the hardest part of this journey that we are on, is just remembering why we are here and what we are supposed to be doing. This culture has engrained in us an idea that tells us that life is all about what we can accomplish ourselves, how much money we can make, how nice of retirement we can save up for, etc. I don't recall those things in the Bible as being important to God, and I would rather spend my time accumulating heavenly treasure since eternal life will be much, much longer than this one. All that He asks is that we take up our cross and follow Him. I really like Chris Tomlin's song "I will follow." It gives me a picture of what following Christ really means by putting me in His footprints. "Where you go I'll go, where you stay I'll stay, when you move I'll move, I will follow you. Who you love I'll love, who you serve I'll serve, If this life I lose, I will follow you." My goal for 2014 is simply just to strive to live that out more in my own life, because HE is worth the cost and deserves nothing less!
-Andy
