The Untraveled Path (Literally)

The Untraveled Path 

Many of you are probably wondering why in the world I'm living in Myrtle Beach for the summer. I'm sure many erroneous thoughts are circulating about me avoiding my hometown or even just looking at an excuse to have an adventure. At The University of Georgia I am surrounded by successful people. Every individual owns an absurdly high GPA from secondary school and boasts into school having accomplished insurmountable tasks in which I could only dream.  I am currently studying my calling... my passion.. my dream... Public Relations. PR is one of the most competitive job markets filled with promising students that all want to change the world... or at least how the world is perceived. Most of my counterparts are devoting their summer to life changing internships in DC, NY, or Atlanta with companies making a phenomenal impact on our great nation. 

I devoted weeks to pouring my heart out in finding the perfect internship that would grow me professionally. My mind works very dynamically in the sense that it centers around success, service, and resume building. Its an all consuming fire that radically breaks my heart into a million pieces because once I finish one step toward achieving my dream another hurdle arises. I applied for 37 internships that bore no fruit, I interviewed numerous times but saw no reciprocation in my love for the company. I knew that my resume was strong, my interpersonal skills were stronger, but something just wasn't right. 

After my final rejection-- I broke down thinking that this worldly success defined my true value as not only a man but as person. Jesus completely eradicated this nonsense and turned it into a test of patience. I constantly doubted his willingness and ability to provide, I tried to seek council and all I ever heard was "WAIT". I begrudgingly applied for a 9 week program called Summer Discipleship Project. I went through the application process and received an interview almost immediately. While pouring my heart out to the leader of the trip, I felt this overwhelming sense of peace come over my spirit. Usually after the SDP interview the leaders unite and pray over the person to see whether or not this is something that is going to benefit their personal walk with Jesus and if this is the right move for them. Drew-- the trip leader-- accepted me instantaneously saying that he felt the spirit move during our conversation and just knew that this is where Jesus is calling me home. 

$2700 in 4 weeks. A crippling fear rushed through my veins like ice water sending chills up and down my spine that sent me into a paralyzing fear. How in the world can one person raise almost 3,000 dollars in one month. I snapped out of my inhibitions and took a leap of faith and sent letters, emails, phone calls telling friends and family my heart that is being captivated by this journey. Within 10 short days Jesus provided every.single.penny that I needed in order to pursue this newfound dream. Why am I telling you this? Why do you care? Our God has our entire life plan in his hands, he knows our every thought, our every action, he knitted us in our mother's womb. I serve a loving Father that captivates me through mercy, love, grace, forgiveness, and redemption. Those trying times in which I just simply wanted to pursue success and pursue my career but never accomplished finding an open door completely faded into nothingness due to the fact that Jesus has something planned so much greater for my life. 

If you had the opportunity to read my first blog post... I focused on community. Jesus finally answered a desperate cry for being my provider, my enabler, my eyes when it comes to finding friends that will not only love me, but encourage me to grow each and every minute of every day. After 1.5 years of patiently waiting, shamelessly begging, the Lord provided... not only did he provide, but he provided abundantly. 

Moving forward I learned that while on SDP in Myrtle Beach, I would be surrounded by 48 other college students that also desired to passionately pursue Jesus and let the Holy spirit guide and move our actions. An absurd amount of UGA students were also accepted which further instilled truth in my heart that Jesus wants me here, and wants me here desperately to continue to pursue community and a larger family of believers. 

This summer I am working a part-time job at a local restaurant called Salsaritas. Simply... it's a mix between Chipotle and Willys. As previously mentioned Jesus always provides for our needs. He saw that I made a sacrifice in pursuing the dream internship that I was offered ( no need to talk about it here) to really find myself and solidify who I am in Christ. My general manager learned about my passion for Public Relations and crafted a intricate plan to utilize me to benefit the store but also enhance my resume. Now-- every monday I will be promoting our location and helping my GM build our image through B2B marketing and 1-1 interaction. 

God truly knows the desires and needs of our heart and he satisfies them in ways we didn't know possible. I thought that this summer I was sacrificing my future in exchange for solidifying my identity in Christ but God had much bigger plans... he crafted a way for me to satisfy both of my major needs in my life. 

My whole life I have learned that when I make Christ the center of my focus, everything else will fall into place and this is just another prime example of the Lord shepherding his lamb into a life that further glorifies Him. 

On the road to Myrtle Beach. My car stopped working due to user error. However
this view changed our perspective and showed us the True Artist's hand at work. 

Meet Me Halfway

Seconds, Minutes, Hours, and Days drag by relentlessly as I try to pull together the energy to draft yet another blog. As many of you know-- I carefully crafted a blog throughout my high school years that tracked every emotion, adventure, and experience that shaped who I am today. I cherished that blog as I could backtrack everything that Jesus accomplished in my life. The blog unfortunately fell  into the wrong hands and I made an erroneous decision to delete it... and with it went the 20,000 views that it accumulated.

However-- Now that I think about that former journal, it's a blessing in disguise that it's no longer with us. The door closed on that chapter of my life, when the blog that captured numerous emotions and feelings. I can now move onto the happiest days of my life: College.

So here I sit before you 1/2 way through the college experience and that thought alone overwhelms my soul. The University of Georgia has given me an immaculate life. Albert Einstein once said, "Strive not to be a success, but rather of value." I first heard this empowering statement in my First- Year Odyssey Class: The Need to Lead. This quote is forever engrained in my brain and its truthfulness ricochets off every vital organ within my body. It has truly shaped my college experience thus far.

Jesus has blessed me with remarkable opportunities to grow as a leader during my time here at UGA. However this collegiate leadership is vastly different than how I lead while in high school. Learning that life if not about me, but it is about who I can serve. Graduating from UGA provides oneself a multitude of opportunities and I genuinely believe that it is our job to continue the legacy and commitment to excellence by giving back to the most wonderful university in the world. 

This university has revealed itself to me from so many different angles... and with each experience comes a new lesson. Whether it was serving on exec for the fraternity, building a community as a Resident Assistant, drafting legislation as a senator, or being a representative of the entire freshman class under freshman board... I've learned so much about what this world has to offer. What's the most important lesson that I've learned? Every individual in this world has something brilliant to offer, something remarkable to bring to the table, they just need the opportuntiy to shine and to be loved. 

My first year and a half of college was spent, no wasted...  pursuing things that didn't bring any substance to my life. I devoted my entire life to passionately pursuing Christ and being a great example of my faith, however in college I was consumed by the thought of being Greek, and just being "the man" on campus. Now do not get me wrong, I do not regret my decision on going Greek. I have learned so much and made some life-altering friendships that I do not deserve... but I do regret letting the idea consume my life. The Greek community itself is uplifting, encouraging, challenging. We raise millions of dollars for all types of causes from cancer to aids to domestic violence protection. However-- I spent a great deal of my first year and a half comparing myself to others.

We were not designed to devalue ourselves in comparison to those who surround us. The University of Georgia is filled to the brim with students who are changing the world right before our eyes. I never found myself content in who I am and what I am... until this year.

Winter Break Sophomore year I felt overwhelmed with this thirst for something more satisfying then what I experienced thus far in college. I didn't quite understand what would quench this drought of need within my body because I had remarkable community, loving friends, and immense involvement that allowed me to make an impact on people's lives... yet I still felt unfulfilled.

"You become who you hang out with" reverberated over and over through my mind. Yes-- I had community and loving friendships that I still cherish to this day-- but they were not centered on what I know see is the most satisfying-- Jesus.

You see my life involved going downtown, pursuing girls, racking up date nights, literally pursuing everything that "The College Experience" is supposed to circumvent. Don't misunderstand my words, some of those experiences are the highlights of my college career, they leave me laughing for hours begging for mercy from the painful contractions associated with the truest form of medicine. However-- these memories were not satisfying. I suddenly woke up and jumped out on a limb.

I knew this kid through SGA who was a first-year student that always tweeted about this enriching environment that fed him spiritually, mentally, physically, but also provided him with the most ridiculous memories that I could only dream about having my own. I reached out to him not really expecting too much of a return and my mind was blown. The minute that spring semester began I was pursued. This kid saved my life and immediately threw me into his Christian community.

For the first time in my life I felt nervous about meeting new people, I was intimidated because this group of people had everything I wanted... close knit community centered around Christ. A common misconception that people have about Christians is that we sit in this holy huddle and read the Bible 24/7 and gather around while holding hands and sing worship songs. This past semester I have never lived more.

I conquered my fear of heights by climbing Steggman Coliseum, I adventured over an abandoned bridge, I climbed a waterfall, I completed the trifecta, but most importantly I was shown grace and love. These people already had their friends... they didn't need me... but they loved me unconditionally. Did it take time? absolutely. Were there setbacks and miscommunications and hindrances of insecurities on my behalf? Absolutely. However I worked through them and found this community of believers that have really challenged me to grow myself as an individual.

I developed... well from my standpoint... some of the most incredible unbreakable friendships in the world. Four guys-- Hayden Ben David and Hunter-- made it their mission to help me assimilate into their  culture and lives that I so desperately needed here in Athens. They showed me mercy and grace when I deserved it least... and that's what it is all about folks.

It is about meeting people where they're at... meeting them halfway. We are called to simply love people relentlessly. It will be challenging, heart-breaking, and at times infuriating... but when you have those 3:00 am conversations about everything that Jesus has delivered you from... that is the most satisfying experience in the world.

I challenge you all to love relentlessly, forgive mercifully, endure graciously... because it could save a person's life.