Chapter 9- Awakening

There is a stirring right now. I see it in the eyes and hearts of others I've talked to. I'm not the only one who is being "stirred by a noble theme." It reminds me of Stephen King's "The Stand" when people from all over are called to Nebraska. They don't know what exactly is drawing them but they know they are being pulled toward one goal. Strange parallel I know and I'm not going to Nebraska any time soon. But I feel God is definitely drawing people together because there are other people who are feeling an awakening.





It's good to know you have support and people who believe in you. It's another thing entirely when you have people who share your vision and want to step out and fight with you. Or even that you can join someone else's vision. I am looking for that band of brothers (and sisters for that matter) who are itching to do great things for God and willing to step out of their comfort zone as well.





My friend, Todd, is on board and we have been talking about the kind of project we feel is worth making. He has a lot of great things happening in his life right now, a lot of doors opening and a passion for making things happen. It really is just a matter of time. Every journey begins with a single step and we're taking those bold first steps.





I'm still searching and listening for the desire that God has put in my heart. Trying to strip away everything to get at the core. It's the art of elimination, as Rob Bell says. It's about looking at the stone and knowing there's something inside groaning and fighting to come into creation and then little by little chipping away to set it free.





At this seminar Bell was speaking at , he gave the whole audience a bar of soap and asked us to take it home and carve something. I have never carved anything in my life before save marshmallow sticks and a pinewood derby once. But I was excited to jump in anyway (which by the way is another lesson entirely. We're never truly ready for anything). So I looked, I envisioned and I started carving away. Here is what was inside:

It's a little blurry, but I think you can get the picture. Seems to symbolize this journey for me. The leap of faith and knowing God has His hand out to catch me. If you'll notice, I kind of chopped of the right arm of the dude. I was disappointed at first but then thought, "We all have our imperfections" and then just kept carving away. Ironically, right after I took this picture it fell and broke. And that's okay too.

Keep searching. Examine the things in your life and figure out the meaning you give to them. Do they add to your life or are they merely distractions? Chip away the things that don't lead to fulfillment. Learn to live with the imperfections and thank God that won't understand perfection in this life. All we know is this "because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." We've already overcome, yet He is still working on us. Still chipping away until we become what He envisioned us to be.

Check this song out. Listen to the lyrics: