kculver. journeywithjesus

For all you who just graduated or are about to this coming year, let me share some simple truth, that I’m sure many of you have heard before on countless occasions. Right after I graduated this past summer, I moved abroad to begin what has developed into a year and a half commitment to working with on non-profit humanitarian organization that emphasizes sustainable development in the southern border regions of Haiti. I have for some time now felt like God was calling me to follow Him to the island of Hispañola, to declare the gospel of Truth. As I prepared for the process, I weighed the options of partnering with believers here in my daily work while on the island, or with a humanitarian focus, not-strictly Christian organization. I chose the latter, in hopes of being able to shared to good news in my immediate context— with my co-workers. 

In June, I got the word to head on down to join the team in Haiti. Within a week, I got the go-ahead, bought my plane tickets, and moved out of the country to a small town, “Pedernales,” on the south tip of the island, on the Dominican side of the border. 

Although, I can surely say I wrestled with God before going and even once arriving— to strip myself of my fleshly wants, and seek to be sure that in the transition, I was going not because I thought God was calling me there to this place, to do this work, but that I was going because in walking with Him, I go where He goes, and I was going to come to know Him more and praise Him as He does His sweet work of sharing His love and goodness.

So if you are doing the whole eat, pray, love thing and planning a backpacking trip through Europe, to discover yourself or to figure out what you are meant to do with your life; or if you just got a new job, or are applying to grad school, or getting married— please be assured that your identity, who you are, what you are to do, etc. is dependent on these things or will be revealed through them. 

Here it is.. that ol’ quote.

Luke 9:23 (NLT): Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.

Let us lose ourselves. Let us fall back, sink into our new natures— that of God, as He now dwells within us. Let us relax and let Him take the reigns. May we trade our hard yokes, for His that is easy, and our heavy burdens, for His that is light. May seek His face that His glory may shine on us and through us. And may we sweetly walk in step with the Holy Spirit. Here and only here, is it ways you truly come to know yourself and learn of the ways in which you get to be a part of His good work of ushering in the new Kingdom. Here and only here, He begins to speak of truth of exactly who you are— who He created you to be. He is your Heavenly Father, the Creator of all. He, who numbered the hairs on your head and knitted you together in your mother’s womb— as deep cry unto deep— the Holy Spirit bring revelation of who you truly are— as the One who made you set out for you to be. Be encourage. If you seek Him, you will find Him. And like the merciful father who desperately awaits his wandering, defiant, rebellious son,  who rejected him (saying to his father that he was dead to him, in asking for his inheritance, and then producing to go off and blow everything with wild living)… The father, who despite it all, is crazy in love with a beautiful, pure, unconditional love LONGS, his heart aches for you to come to Him, that He may richly lavish His love on you— bringing you to live and live abundantly— the Father of lights longs to share every good and perfect thing with you— primarily Himself, as He is truly the best there is and could ever be. Here, you are welcomed and embrace. You are called “beautiful”, “beloved”, “cherished.” He delights in you. Come to Him, call Him out and come to be blessed far beyond you could ever imagine.