Exerpt Of Exhortation

The following is an exerpt from my most recent letter to Wesley (he's graduating from boot camp next week!). This was one of those things that you just write, and then when you look back to read it through, you realize it wasn't YOUR words at all...

"... Whatever your MOS ends up being: 'whatever you do, do all to the Glory of God.' -1 Corinthians 10:31. I mean, whatever you end up with, whether it's exactly what you want or a second or third choice, do your ABSOLUTE 100% BEST at it. That's how you glorify God. I don't know what it's like where you are. I don't know if God got kicked out of our military like He was removed from our schools, or if being in life and death situations on a regular basis puts God front and center- as you'd expect. In any case, YOU are a chosen son of God. YOU have the ability to be a light to the world. "The world" means the people in your daily life. For me, "the world" is my family, my life group, my kids' friends & coaches, the people I interact with- such as people in stores & drive-thrus, etc., also my friends, Todd's customers. Anyone my life brings me to cross paths with. Now this doesn't mean I proclaim the gospel to every person I come across. What it means is that I AM the gospel: I am a walking example of the miracles God works in His people. That doesn't mean I pretend to be perfect. I am transparent about my weaknesses and insecurities. Otherwise people think we are something we are not, which they can't identify with, AND when you end up letting them down (which we always do, because we are NOT perfect), they write you off as a hypocrite. And that certainly doesn't glorify God. 'You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.' -Matthew 5:14-16 But think about this: your "light" is not only your good deeds- or decisions, or choice of language, or abstinence- but also the struggles you have faced. It's easy to be "good" when life is smooth and easy. It's easy to praise God when you have everything you want (like Amy) and things are going your way. But when the world TRULY SEES THE GLORY OF GOD is when we can trust Him & love Him & lean on Him when things suck. Consider the Rumleys... So don't try to hide the difficulties you have experienced: losing your parents, not having an ideal childhood, having issues with honesty, getting kicked out, living at the Rescue Mission, getting "recycled" (I think that's what you called it), losing Amy. It's the OVERCOMING that shows people the work of God. By allowing people to see your weaknesses, you will allow God to use them to reach others...and THAT'S how your own struggles are redeemed. Remember, EVERYTHING God does or allows is because he loves us! Even the crappy stuff. Let it refine you & let it be a bridge to someone else- so they can reach for God.

Wow. That was profound... and unexpected :)"