Random thoughts

I'm about to turn 22 in a two months...

That's ridiculous. I feel like I'm running out of time. A lot of people have told me that I have so much time to do things, but I've always felt like I need to spend my time the most effective/efficient way possible. Maybe it's a business mindset that I got from school. But I think that I should spend every moment being the best I can be for Christ. Of course, that doesn't mean I don't play or waste time. But I try to acknowledge and keep true to this idea.

What happens to your "dream" as you get older?

I had an opportunity to visit a house church last Friday. I was a newcomer in a small group of young adults (all in their late 20s). They welcomed me by allowing me to ask a question to everyone in the room. Everyone had to answer - including myself. So I asked "What was/is your dream?"

While some answers were comical, others were quite sincere. Some gave up on their dream while others are still pursing it. For example, one individual wants to write a novel. Another wants to open a bakery and create a documentary. I thought to myself, "why aren't you pursuing that now?" Of course, the obvious answer is "life". Life gets in the way of things. Life makes you deal with bills, student loans, car loans, shelter, housing, clothes, etc. And that is, no doubt, a legitimate point.

But this is the very question I've been wondering about for a year. I fully understand that we must be wise and be responsible to make a living. But to what extent is that an "excuse" to not pursue your dream/passion? See - I personally believe at this moment in my life that our deep passion is God given. That thing that makes you want to do it forever? That's our God-given purpose. But I don't think that means to drop everything just to pursue it. We need to be smart and wise about how we go about using our God given gifts. It's through prayer/scripture. It's in His time and His will that we do these things.

I remember hearing a speaker at a retreat in high school. He asked, "If money didn't exist and God provided everything, then what would you do?" If the world didn't operate on money, then what would you do with your life? It blew my mind. I began to freak out in my 17 year old brain. What?! No money?! What's going to happen then?! Do I just implode?! (okay not the last question). But you get my point. What would that thing be?

Another thought came into my head as I thought about my purpose for these past few years. Don't fool yourself when searching for your God-given purpose. Deep down, you need to evaluate why you are "passionate" about this one thing(s). It can't be for money, fame, glory, power, etc. It MUST be for God. Period. It must be to glorify Him and only Him. Don't psych yourself out by telling yourself "it's for God" when it really isn't.

You have to be brutally honest with yourself and God. Either this "passion" is something God instilled in your heart or something Satan is deceiving you into thinking. I can't judge or accuse you if you have the right heart/mindset. It's only between you and God. Because in the end, it'll be between you and God.

Again, these are my personal thoughts and ideas on how God works in our lives. I don't have biblical support or any credibility. So don't live on my words, live on His words.

Brian || Taylor || Hnou || Xing || Judy || Esther || Josh || Jenine