Inaugural Blog-11 years to 11 days

By our very nature, we all want to resist from time to time. We resist change. We resist challenge. We resist chores. I resist as much as anyone, if not more. The list of things I've stood stubbornly against is long and distinguished: Y2K, Capri Pants, the movie "Titanic." And yes, in this computer-driven, socially networked age, I've resisted blogging.

Even when blogging was just "journaling," I was a resister. My friends and loved ones all told me how writing down your thoughts and feelings is so helpful--you get it all out there where you can process and evaluate it, and when all is said and done, you get to look back to see how far you've come, how much you've grown. Now, since our musings are accessible via the internet to, well, everyone, we can get real-time feedback on our thoughts, encouragement, support. What a deal, right?

I'd love to be able to say that I have some legit reason to resist like "I process things verbally," or "I'm so busy doing God's work that I have no time." Truth be told, I think I'm just lazy. I mean, it feels like homework to me, and who needs more of that?

The Israelites, we read in the Old Testament, were delivered out of bondage from Egypt and embarked on an amazing journey toward the promised land. We all know the story, right? It wasn't a very fun trip, and when all was said and done they'd spent 40 years traveling a distance that should have taken them 11 days. 40 years! The ironic and terrifying and sad thing is that they were never more than an 11 day trip away from claiming their promise. It was RIGHT THERE within their grasp all along, but instead of reaching out and claiming it, they just circled 'round and 'round and 'round that same mountain wondering when God was going to show up.

I'm 29 years old and upon reflection of the story of the Iraelites wonder if I have 11 more years before I see MY promised land. I wonder what the journey will be like. It's been a heck of a ride thus far to be sure! Those who know me well can attest to the great deal of wandering I've done in the wilderness of my life--trip after trip after trip around the same mountain (or two) wondering when God was going to show up.

The events of my life recently have caused me to believe that the promises of God REALLY ARE within our grasp, and I'm also starting to belieive my ability to grasp them really will be determined by the trip I make. I can make choices that will lead me in the wilderness for 11 more years, or I can reach out to God, allow him to work, and find myself living His promises in someting closer to the 11 days.

No, I don't mean to say that I expect life to become perfect on October 14th, or look for Jesus to return on October 14th, or even think I might die on October 14th. The days and years are figurative--a representation of the journey.

So here I am, a resister, and I'm starting a blog. And here's why: When I get to that promised land, I want to be able to look back and see HOW I did it so I can help those I love find their way faster. God is faithful. His promises are sure. I know He intends to deliver me, and I want those I love to come with! Let's Go! I need your support, your prayers, your dilligence in holding me accountable. My prayer is that this blog will be a blessing to me (yes, of course) but more importantly a blessing to those who come after me. Not because I'm so "good" but really and truly because I'm not. I have made and expect to make TONS of mistakes along the way, and the thought of everyone seeing those mistakes splayed here scares the crap out of me--BUT (and this is a big but) if seeing me screw up along the way will help others learn not to make those same mistakes, then what better good can possibly come from them? That's why I blog.

I really do believe the God is going to turn my 11 years into 11 days. My hope and prayer is that for each reader of this blog, He'll do the same thing.

Grace and Peace,
Mikey