direction in life

Well, I believe I have an interest I'd like to pursue...and many may think it boring, seeing as how it is an academic interest. But I really want to study western history in the early first century AD (I know, not politically correct, but I'm not one for adhering to those sometimes ridiculous non-offensive terms).

I am also one step closer to Norway. My passion for going to this country this summer is increasing. My passion for spreading the truth is increasing. I met a couple today who are going to Indonesia for missions--specifically, evangelizing. They were planning on going, and have been preparing for the trip for the past two years, and even in light of the now desperate situation over there with the tsunami, they still want to go. When I told them I wanted to end up ministering in Eastern Europe the guy said that was a hard place to be. Hard, but God is the God of the impossible. I have no faith in my ability to relate to those people, because I have lived the typically comfortable and relatively sheltered American life. No, but there is One in me who can relate to them better than even than I could if I were one of them. People need Jesus. We're such a depraved people that we can't and won't even recognize our need for Him unless He unveils our hearts to see it. And He mercifully does. I don't get how or why or by what means, but He does it.

And I am also encouraged by my aunt and uncle's step of faith in seeking to adopt two children from Russia. I again cannot wait to see God accomplish the impossible. I hope He blows my grandparents out of the water. Even moreso my dad.

The more I live, every breath I take, the more I realize that it is all due to Him. Even in my sin He has mercy on me. My sin put Him on the cross. Do I even get the magnitude of that? I know I don't, because if I did my life would be so much more radically changed than it is. I am content to wait on the Lord for increased passion for Him. I can't even describe the intense longing I feel for Him. Jesus is more real to me each day. It is His presence in my heart that keeps me going every moment. I am not content to live life for myself. If I do, I waste it. I am reminded of the sermon from Sunday, because my passion is so overwhelming right now. I'm emotional, and I know God has made me this way, and now I pray to be, as Piper put it, pragmatic as well. By His grace I want my passions to be applied to my life. And herein lies the promise that "faithful is the One who calls you; He will do it" in 1 Thessalonians. He'll do it, I believe it.

Thusfar the Lord has helped me.